The changing face of English cricket

London's two elite Test venues will look markedly different for future Ashes tourists with differing proposals that would change the landscape of the iconic grounds.

Surrey today unveiled details of a planned GBP50m redevelopment of The Oval, in South London, to take its capacity to 40,000. That would make it the largest cricket stadium in the UK.

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Meanwhile, Marylebone Cricket Club members face a vote on a controversial redevelopment plan and must decide whether to allow a residential component to be built in the venue's grounds in St John's Wood in northwest London.

Either way, Lord's will redevelop the Compton and Edrich stands that sit either side of the iconic media centre, but development would not be completed until the 2027 Ashes at the earliest, and may drag on as long as 2034.

Image Id: 90D335C2B78B4728AA20C5C9B5F93F55 Image Caption: An artist's impression of the new Compton and Edrich stands // MCC

The Oval changes are to happen more quickly, with work starting immediately after the 2019 season that includes the World Cup and Ashes, and is scheduled to be completed for the 2023 Ashes.

Surrey is to rebuild the Bedser and Laker-Lock stands that sit either side of the iconic members' pavilion, which dates from 1898, and increase the ground capacity from 22,500 to 40,000 in time for the 2023 Ashes Test.

The building work will not extend around the full circumference of the venue, with the landmark heritage listed gas holder constructions from 1853 to still be visible.

Image Id: 5A3C65F1EF82430C9B4983CCBC5E9A5F Image Caption: An artist's impression from inside the revamped Oval // ADAM Architecture

“English cricket needs a ground that can hold 40,000-plus supporters," Richard Thompson, the Surrey chairman, told the UK Telegraph newspaper.

“We have shown the demand is there and we would not contemplate this project unless we were confident we can fill this ground. We want to do something that is big, bold and ambitious and we know we can deliver it and we know we can fill it.”

The Bedser stand, where the current dressing rooms and indoor nets are, will be knocked down and replaced with a stand of three tiers of seats plus corporate boxes. The Laker-Lock stand will have four tiers of seating.

Image Id: 46E871A883764056AAB8ED45D7798A0D Image Caption: An artist's impression from outside the revamped Oval // ADAM Architecture

The Lord's upgrades will raise capacity by 2,000 seats in the Compton and Edrich stands, with further work on the Tavern and Allen stands at the pavilion end a later part of the masterplan.

The prospect of a residential component at Lord's has been mooted for nearly two decades, and the MCC's members have been sent a comprehensive review and the issue will be voted upon later this year.

Image Id: AC264CB9B9D54B37B40DB9C25E4A3685 Image Caption: An artist's impression of the new MCC precinct // MCC

"What MCC could or should do – and when – has been subject of much debate within and outside the club for nearly 20 years," said MCC Chairman Gerald Corbett.

"MCC would like Lord's to continue to position itself to be the best ground in the world to play and watch cricket.

"The review is already the result of much consultation and is intended to be as fair as possible. As MCC owns Lord's and is a members’ club, it is essential to ensure that the development of the ground is carried out in accordance with members’ wishes."