Ashes at Glamorgan testing many already

The decision to award an Ashes Test to Glamorgan has provoked a range of reactions from delight to outrage – not to mention much disbelief. But Stephen Brenkley, in The Independent, wonders if it’s really such a surprise afterall.

England and the English could not say that they were not warned. Those with a true sense of history might have realised that in 1905, Glamorgan applied to stage a Test against Australia and lost out to Trent Bridge by one vote.

He adds drily, "Nobody would suggest that staging an Ashes Test is remotely like acquiring a peerage … but Glamorgan offered the most cash."

Christopher Martin-Jenkins also dwells on the financial aspects of the deal in The Times – and points out that the ECB is fortunate it was another group, the Major Match Group, who were responsible for the decision, given that it has not been received so well outside a delighted Wales.

Derek Pringle, in The Telegraph notes Glamorgan’s financial clout - but explains that there are also some conspiracy theories which are doing the rounds.