Edgbaston won't bid for Twenty20 semi-final

Warwickshire will not be bidding to host the available 2009 ICC World Twenty20 semi-final at Edgbaston. According to The Birmingham Post, they are not keen on being part of the event because of the restrictions placed on hosting matches by ICC.

The timing of the World Twenty20 - a two-week period in June - coincides with the domestic Twenty20 tournament. If Edgbaston were to stage a package of matches it would mean Warwickshire playing their own Twenty20 matches at outgrounds, which would have a major impact on gate receipts and hospitality.

ICC demands that the ground is vacant for a period leading up to hosting events and there is also the issue of a blanket ban on sponsors not associated with the tournament. Trent Bridge now appears to be the front-runner for the final package of Twenty20 matches alongside the already nominated Lord's and The Oval.

Warwickshire are putting their efforts into gaining more major matches from the ECB, including a plan to try and take the Friends Provident final away from Lord's. This would be a major change - the showpiece one-day final has been held at Lord's since its inception in 1963 - and MCC has it as part of their long-term planning to retain the late-season match. The ECB, however, is due to announce that from 2010 any ground will be able to bid for it.