Stay of execution for Old Trafford?

Old Trafford, Lancashire's home for 146 years, may have earned a stay of execution, after it was revealed by the Manchester Evening News that a major redevelopment of the ground is in the pipeline.

Back in November, the club admitted that it had been in secret talks with Manchester city council about moving to a new ground at Eastlands. It was an announcement that angered Trafford council, but on the whole, the proposal was met with unexpectedly muted opposition, given the falling attendances at Test matches and the ever-expanding status of Old Trafford football stadium, just down the road.

Lancashire's chief executive, Jim Cumbes, denied that the plans for a move had been shelved, and termed the new architect's drawings as a vision rather than a detailed proposal. "We gave a vision to Trafford of how we would like to see the ground develop if we were to stay," said Cumbes. "It's basically a bit of licence, an artist's impression.

"It's not a development plan. We haven't even costed it. We presented it to Trafford just to show them the sorts of funds that would be needed to assist us in the development of the ground. We had to give Trafford a fair chance to see what they could do for us."

David Acton of Trafford council was pleased that Lancashire had considered the possibility of staying put. " Old Trafford has as much deprivation as east Manchester," he said. "It would be crazy to put public money into relocating them when that money, if there is any, should be utilised to regenerate the Old Trafford area. I think it's important that the ground can develop to meet all the international standards."

Nevertheless, added Cumbes, the chances of county cricket remaining at Old Trafford are no better than 50-50.