Headingley Test status under threat beyond 2019, says chief executive
Wednesday 22 March 2017 17:25, UK
Yorkshire's chief executive says there is real urgency to address a funding shortfall that could see Headingley lose international cricket.
A £4m council grant has been withdrawn, threatening the redevelopment of the stand shared with the adjacent Headingley rugby stadium.
Yorkshire cannot apply to host Test matches after 2019 if the stand is not improved, while their scheduled four matches in the 2019 World Cup would also go elsewhere.
And Mark Arthur told Sky Sports News HQ: "We have two or three weeks maximum to get this resolved, so we need to find a funding formula for the work to go ahead.
"Up until January 26 we were confident the work would go ahead, but now we are not so confident. Everyone is aware there is an urgency, but the parties are working closely together.
"I'd like to see the funds come forward and to start work on September 1. We are working hard to try and solve the situation, but fundamentally my priority is to maintain the status of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and if we have to do without international cricket then so be it."
That point has been echoed by Yorkshire chairman Steve Denison, who said: "The last thing we want to do is mortgage the future at all costs. Having a club that can sustain itself is the most important thing. We are not going to risk that because of the situation we find ourselves in right now.
"We don't want to say, 'Don't worry, let's just borrow up to £40m and pay it off over 40 years.' It is an unimaginably long period and who knows what will happen in the next four years let alone 40."
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