Somerset can bid to stage England internationals at Taunton

Somerset County Cricket Club officials are celebrating after being granted the chance to stage England one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches at the County Ground in Taunton.

The ECB Board has granted Somerset approval to move the County Ground to the technical specifications required for international one-day cricket.

Following an extensive period of assessment by the Major Match Group, Somerset was recognised as a ground that could meet the technical requirements for England matches.

Somerset chairman Andy Nash told the club’s website: “The decision made by the ECB Board crowns a ten-year programme of the redevelopment of the County Ground, which has always had the objective of bringing international cricket to Taunton.

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“This recognises the huge improvements in quality and capacity put in place at The County Ground, which we believe is one of the very best grounds in the country.

“I should like to congratulate all those whose vision, hard work and determination has made this possible. Achievements on this scale only come along once in a generation.

“All at Somerset County Cricket Club can now look forward to being given the opportunity to apply to the ECB for the right to host England ODI and Twenty20 fixtures, which would bring great benefits to Somerset County Cricket Club, Taunton and the West Country.”

Somerset chief executive Guy Lavender said: “We have now completed three out of the four key phases of our ground development and the completion of our final phase, which sees the re-development of the Old Pavilion, will bring us up to the required standard for international cricket.

“Our core objective will always be to provide the best set of facilities we can for domestic cricket, but we are confident that with careful design and planning we can create a brilliant venue for smaller international matches as well.”