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Cardiff stripped of West Indies test after late payment

LONDON - Cardiff lost the right to host one of England’s test matches against West Indies next year as Glamorgan were late in paying the fee for staging last month’s test against Sri Lanka, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.

The ECB said hosting rights would go out to tender again. Glamorgan would be given extra time to make the payments but they would not be able to re-bid to host the match.

Glamorgan made a heavy loss on the Sri Lanka test, which was badly hit by rain and attracted only a smattering of spectators. ‘This decision has been taken following close consultation with Glamorgan CCC and with a view to assisting the club in developing a sustainable long-term business plan for staging international cricket,’ ECB chief executive David Collier said in a statement.

‘ECB recognises that the club has made considerable investment into developing and upgrading the stadium and that this has brought considerable benefits to the wider game in England and Wales.

‘While it will not be permitted to stage the West Indies test match next year, the club will continue to host a one-day international against India later this summer and South Africa next year.

‘It will also be free to bid for the ECB’s new match packages for 2013-2016 along with all other international venues and any application received will be considered on its merits. ‘ Sofia Gardens hosted its first test match in 2009, the opening match of the Ashes series, and it was a controversial decision when it was awarded the 2012 West Indies match ahead of Lord’s, which was left without a test but is likely to re-bid.