MERSEYSIDE cricket fans already looking forward to Lancashire's match against Sussex in June were given further good news this week when it was revealed that the county has also agreed to play at Aigburth in 2007 and 2008.
Preparations for this year's four-day fixture are already well under way but Liverpool CC chairman, Peter McEvoy, explained that the agreement to play future games at the club was particularly welcome.
"We're absolutely delighted that our discussions with Lancashire have reached a successful conclusion," he said..
"2007 is Liverpool Cricket Club's 200th anniversary and it will also mark 800 years since the city's founding charter, so we are hoping that we may mark the occasion by welcoming the Indian tourists to Aigburth and we are also looking to stage another prestigious fixture of some sort.
"There seem to be fewer county matches at outgrounds each year so we are very pleased to be hosting Lancashire matches over the next three seasons.
"We have received invaluable support from both Liverpool City Council and European Capital of Culture officials and we are very grateful for their help."
However, McEvoy also acknowledged the responsibilites attendant on any club hosting county matches.
"Lancashire's groundsman, Peter Marron, will be visiting us on a number of occasions to check on the condition of the wicket and he will be working very closely with our own groundsman Terry Glover and our ground chairman Philip Dunkley," he said.
"In addition, there are always new Health and Safety regulations with which to comply and we have to keep a careful eye on those too."
