The sound of leather on willow has been heard for first time at English cricket’s newest first class cricket venue.
Lancashire County Cricket Club’s first game at its second home ground AO Farington in South Ribble saw the Red Rose county beat Kent in the Metro Bank One Day Cup on Tuesday.
Mark Chilton, the club’s director of cricket performance, said the new ground will “help the growth of the game in the region at all levels” adding: “The beauty of the place is that it is in the heart of the county, making it very accessible.”
The first new ground to host first-class cricket since Hampshire opened the Rose Bowl in 2001 is modelled roughly on the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Five years ago the club identified what it described as a “pressing need” for a second ground due to the number of international and domestic matches staged at its traditional Old Trafford home.
Although its capacity is 5,000, this was limited to 2,000 for the Kent game and Thursday’s match with Notts Outlaws – which the team also won – acting as trial runs.
In addition to the professional oval which will also host two women’s 50-over games in September, there is the community oval which will be used throughout the year by the local community.