Glamorgan get final go-ahead

Glamorgan have been given the final go ahead for their redevelopment of Sophia Gardens ahead of hosting an Ashes Test in 2009. The final papers for the £9.5m plans were signed on Tuesday, although early work had already begun at the ground.

The new stadium will seat 15,000 people and ahead of the 2009 Ashes series will host an ODI between England and South Africa in August 2008. Phil Russell, the Glamorgan chairman, says the benefits of the redevelopment will be felt well beyond the Test arena.

"This is not and can not be a one-off event. There was an enormous boost in the popularity of cricket after the 2005 Ashes series and it will be even bigger after 2009," Russell told the South Wales Echo. "There is considerable evidence to suggest the greater the interest in cricket at grass-roots level the easier it is develop youngsters into professional cricketers."

Work on the stadium is due to be finished by spring 2008 and during the building Glamorgan are playing their home fixtures are at variety of outgrounds.