(posted 7798 days ago)South London Press
NewsOn the face of it
Dec 13 2002
By Michael BrownENGLAND'S cricket hopes might be going up in smoke after their capitulation at the hands of the Aussies in the Ashes series.
But the Surrey County Cricket Club are determined their hopes don't follow the fortunes of Nasser Hussain and his boys.
Surrey have unveiled plans to increase the capacity at the AMP Oval from 18,500 to 23,000 by the time England are scheduled take on Australia in a fight for the Ashes in the summer of 2005.
It would mean a comprehensive redevelopment of the Vauxhall End to replace some of the current temporary structures as will as providing community and administrative areas. Seating will also be brought closer to the playing area.
Surrey chief executive Paul Sheldon said the world's oldest Test match venue is desperately in need of an upgrade and, if it doesn't, there is a huge price to pay.
"If we don't modernise the venue then we will lose our status as a Test match ground," he said.
"And our priority is to keep that."
The Oval has been playing host to Test cricket since 1845, and Surrey recently signed an agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board guaranteeing them at least one Test and one one-day international a summer for the next 20 years, as long as it completes the modernisation plans.
Sheldon explained that the club had been in constant dialogue with local Kennington residents about how best to achieve these.
A planning application has been lodged and, if successful, work will begin as early as October next season.
"Modernising the Oval has been the subject of debate for the last five years, but we now think we have found the most neighbour-friendly scheme possible," Sheldon added.
"We have conducted surveys with groups in the area. Most realise that we need to rebuild the ground to stay as a cricket ground.
"It would be awful if it reverted to something like a supermarket. Most residents who are aware of the scheme have given us positive feed-back."
Construction work, if it goes ahead on time, might affect the Test match against the West Indies and a onedayer against New Zealand in 2005.
"We might have a problem staging some county games in 2005, but we plan to do it so we have minimal interruption to the season."
If construction has not begun by the end of 2005/06, the 20-year guarantee from the EWCB will be rescinded.
Surrey are displaying the redevelopment plans at the Bedsar Lounge at the Oval on Saturday (12-4pm), Monday (4-8pm) and Tuesday (4-8pm). Members of the development team will be on hand to answer any questions.
Tickets have already gone on sale for the one-day internationals between England and Pakistan on June 20, 2003, and England and South Africa on June 28.
They have also gone on sale for the Test match with South Africa starting on September 4, but demand is so huge, many who have already applied are likely to miss out.
On the playing front, Surrey have been boosted by the news that exciting youngster Rikki Clarke has signed a new five-year deal with the club.
The 21-year-old all-rounder scored a century on his first class debut and, was named Young England Cricketer of the Year and was called up for the England one-day squad.