Buzzin Cricket

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Chief executive of the MCC, Keith Bradshaw has been rattled by claims that the Olympic Stadium may be used for Twenty20 cricket after the 2012 London Olympics as an alternative venue or in competition with Lords.

London mayor Boris Johnson said on Wednesday the London Development Agency are in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board about using the stadium.

But Bradshaw denied the claims saying that an ECB spokesman had said yesterday it was the first they had heard of it and he intends to write to the LDA “to ascertain what engagement has taken place.”

A statement from Bradshaw left his views perfectly clear:

“There is a difference between considering an idea inevitable and lending support to it. I believe Lord’s is the best place to watch cricket in the country and I intend to keep it that way irrespective of whether another London ground emerges or not.

“Lord’s may be the biggest ground in the country but MCC is determined to retain its intimate, traditional character even if capacity is increased through development. We are a ground and not a stadium, and no one here wants that to change.

“Spectators come to Lord’s for everything from the picnics in the Coronation Garden to the thrill of watching players on the hallowed turf follow in the footsteps of Grace, Bradman and Compton.

“In the face of a potentially massive rival, we would strive to continue to play to our strengths to retain the special atmosphere and attraction of the home of cricket.

“We have a unique selling point here at Lord’s and if competition is forthcoming, so be it. We will hit it head on.”