Derbyshire announce ground development

Derbyshire have announced plans for a £2.5m redevelopment of the County Ground as part of their aim to hosts games at the 2019 World Cup in England. The proposal is contained in a six-point plan set out by the county to promote and strengthen cricket in Derbyshire over the next six years.

The ECB will assist Derbyshire in funding the ground development, which is yet to be granted planning permission. The club hope that work will be completed by 2014. The County Ground has hosted matches during the last two World Cups held in England in 1983 and 1999 but the plans reflect the club's wider ambition, after gaining promotion to Division One of the Championship last season.

Other elements of the six-point strategy include sustained success on the pitch, financial stability and a revamped corporate governance structure. A drive to boost membership uptake has already resulted in a 103% increase on the figure from 12 months ago.

"The aim of this six-point strategy is to deliver cricketing success supported by long-term business sustainability and financial security," Derbyshire's chief executive, Simon Storey, said. "It builds on the nine-point cricket strategy announced by chairman Chris Grant in July 2011.

"Our primary objective as an off-the-field team is to engage effectively with sponsors, members, supporters, conference customers and the wider community of Derbyshire. The more effectively we achieve this objective, the greater our position will be to support and sustain a successful team on the field."

Grant added: "Every successful team in professional sport needs a strong business model to support it. This six-point plan ensures that we now have a similarly robust blueprint to follow off-the-field and the two strategies will work hand-in-hand to create a successful future for cricket in Derbyshire."