LANCASHIRE have been kicked in the teeth by the decision not to award Old Trafford an Ashes Test in 2009, according to chief executive Jim Cumbes.

And he fears Andrew Flintoff may never face Australia in a Test at his home ground again after the England and Wales Cricket Board's shock decision.

They have overlooked one of the world's most famous stadiums in favour of Cardiff's Sophia Gardens, despite the fact Glamorgan have not yet received planning permission for a proposed é7.5m redevelopment.

Around 115,000 people attended the thrilling five-day Ashes match at Old Trafford last year, with an estimated 10,000 locked out on the final day. The game generated over é3m through ticket sales, helping the club to a record profit of é735,000 for 2005.

The facilities at Old Trafford have fallen behind those of several Test grounds in recent years and the club will decide later this year whether to redevelop it or move to proposed sites in Wigan or east Manchester. But that wasn't an issue in the decision.

"This is now down purely to money," said Cumbes. "It has nothing to do with the redevelopment relocation issue. It is based on a scorecard which includes things like facilities for spectators, practice facilities for players, dressing rooms, transport infrastructure and others, all of which we were able to meet.

"However 50 per cent of that scorecard is based on the commercial return. We were told it was purely a commercial decision and that our bid was substantially lower.

"We ticked all the right boxes apart from the one labelled `money back to the Board'. To be fair, they are under pressure to get the highest amount of money possible, but you can only squeeze the pip so much.

Profit

"You added up your ticket income and profit from other things and made your bid on that, but now there are other additions to and every county is going to have to take notice of that.

"We stretched ourselves to the limit to make the best possible bid we could but Glamorgan, whose bid was backed by the Welsh Assembly and Cardiff City Council, were into figures we couldn't possibly match.

"We were likening it to Roman Abramovich in the Premiership, we just can't compete when you have the Welsh Assembly backing it. All we can do is say to the people of the north west can you back us to the same extent?"

Although Old Trafford has been awarded the West Indies Test next year and will host New Zealand in 2008, the loss of an Ashes Test is a major blow.

"To say we are disappointed is an understatement," added Cumbes.

"It is not the end of Test cricket at Old Trafford and it is not the first time we have missed out on an Ashes Test. We bounced back after we missed one in 2001 and we can do it again. It is only the third Ashes Test we have missed in over 125 years at this ground.

"The biggest disappointment, however, is that in 2001 we were told we would have Test matches until 2010, which included two Ashes Tests - 2005 and 2009. We were also told we would miss a Test once every eight years, in 2003 and 2011.

"But we have been told that all changed last year when the ECB reviewed the way matches are awarded. It is a massive kick in the teeth for us and the public of the north west who witnessed unforgettable scenes at the Ashes Test match last year.

"Lancashire headed the England appearance table for 2005 at all levels upto England A and we have three players in the senior squad. One of those players is Freddie Flintoff, who has made a huge impact on the popularity of the game. Now, sadly, he may never play another Ashes test on his home ground. This is bound to have a knock-on effect on kids who will not be able to see their hero at Old Trafford."

What do you make of the decision? Have your say.

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