The Ashes are coming back to Manchester after Lancashire today won the right to host the biggest Test series in world cricket at Old Trafford in 2013.
The ground will also host Test matches against India in 2014 and Pakistan in 2016, although they have missed out on an Ashes Test in 2015.
“This has been our goal since 2006," said Lancashire chief executive Jim Cumbes. "Naturally we are delighted to see the Ashes return to Old Trafford."
After a crippling legal battle with rival developers Derwent Holdings, work finally got underway last month on the £32m redevelopment of the ground.
It is set to be completed in early 2013, and the first Test at the new-look venue will now be an Ashes clash.
It rounds off an amazing week for Lancashire. Last Thursday they secured their first outright LV= County Championship in 77 years.
“It has certainly been a fantastic couple of weeks for the club: winning the County Championship after such a long wait and getting the final seal of approval to proceed
with our redevelopment. This is just the icing on the cake," said Cumbes.
“We now look forward to transforming Old Trafford into a world class venue fit to host international cricket.”
As well as the Test matches, Old Trafford will also host a one-day international against Australia in 2013 and 2015, a one-day international against Sri Lanka in 2014, and T20 internationals against New Zealand in 2015 and Pakistan in 2016.
2013
England v Australia Test Match
England v Australia One Day International
2014
England v India Test Match
England v Sri Lanka One Day International
2015
England v Australia One Day International
England v New Zealand International T20
2016
England v Pakistan Test Match
England v Pakistan International T20
The ECB board today adopted in full the recommendations of the independent Major Match Group chaired by Lord Morris of Handsworth in awarding the remaining major
matches for the period 2013-2016 following an exhaustive and open tender process.
The process for the allocation of major matches and the core role of the Major Match Group in that process has evolved since the introduction of the Major Match Group in 2005.
A key focus of the submissions under the latest tender process was on each venue’s infrastructure, operations, legacy and community commitment.
The premium platinum package was awarded to the MCC and, when coupled with major match awards previously made to Lord’s, results in 48 major match days being staged during the 2013-2016 period.
Lord Morris commented: “Lord’s is the home of cricket and demonstrated to the Major Match Group its unique iconic status and the exceptional benefits which staging major matches at Lord’s can bring to the game.
“The MMG also noted the MCC’s commitment to further develop the facilities at Lord’s as well as the significant support which MCC provides to University and community cricket in England and Wales and the game around the world. As a result of these exceptional characteristics, Lord’s has been awarded the platinum package.”
Gold packages were awarded to Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Edgbaston and the SWALEC Stadium. The silver packages were awarded to Kia Oval and to the Emirates Durham ICG, whilst the bronze package was awarded to the Rose Bowl. The only unsuccessful bid for major match packages in this latest tender process was submitted by Bristol.
Lord Morris further commented: “I am grateful to the members of the Major Match Group together with my fellow ECB Directors who have been working diligently in reviewing these submissions in recent months.
Old Trafford to host an Ashes cricket test again in 2013 after £32m redevelopment
September 22, 2011
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Great news!!!! congrats to all concerned at the club
will we get a twenty20 finals day as well at some point?
Well done Lanky another feather in the cap for world class stadiums and teams in Old Trafford, Stretford, Trafford the home to CHAMPIONS!
Why don't Lords and the Oval take their turns in missing out some years? Oh I forgot they're in London and there's all this home of cricket garbage.
Bet Sky pinch all the TV coverage.
Congratulations to Lancashire.
I totally understand Lords getting an Ashes test each time being home to the MCC and the "Home of Cricket", however I am still perplexed why The Oval seems to have a test nailed on each time we have a series?
Why have 2 tests always in London.
They should share them around more as it basically leaves 3 tests each year to be fought out between the remainign venues.
Interestingly it does not appear (Headingley) Yorkshire have any Ashes tests,
Trent Bridge gets 2 tests with remaining tests going to Durham, Edgbaston and Cardiff.
Brilliant news,it will be good to see test cricket back at Old Trafford and I look forward to hopefully going to the ashes test match there in 2013.
I can understand Lords hosting a test match in each series as it is the home of cricket but I totally disagree with the Oval hosting tests as well. Why have 2 tests of each series in London. It should be spread around the country more. But of course, that will never happen.
Although the ECB have done the right thing, they've missed a few tricks once more. Why has Edgbaston missed out on the Ashes to Cardiff and Durham (For the last time ECB, Cardiff is not and will never be a cricket mad city that should be hosting the ashes) yet got the t20 finals thrice on the trot?
Many Congrats to LCC Great to know we will have Test Match Cricket back at Old Trafford. I think there should only be one test match in London to let the rest of the country enjoy watching a test match.As Lords is the home of cricket one should always be there but then everything always seems to revolve around London to the expense of everywhere else.
Re the puzzlement re the odd selection of Cardiff.......isn't the Chairman of the ECB WELSH? Ummmmm.... :-((
Many Congrats to LCC It will be great to have test match cricket back at Old Trafford. I think that London should only have one test match to allow other cricket fans around the country to enjoy watching a test match. Obviously one test should be at Lords the home of cricket but then London always wins at the expense of the rest of the country.
There's a very good reason why Lords & The Oval host more test matches than anyone else (other than the fact the many many people live 'down south')
They charge the most for tickets and have two of the three largest ground capacities (Edgbaston being between the two)
Kerching!