Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have reached agreement for the staging of One-Day Internationals and Test Matches at Trent Bridge from 2003 to 2011.

In 2003, Trent Bridge will host the opening match of the NatWest Series between England and Zimbabwe on Thursday 26 June. This will be followed later in the summer when England return for the third npower Test Match versus South Africa from 14-18 August.

In 2002, Trent Bridge had capacity crowds for the NatWest Series match between England and Sri Lanka, and for three days of the second npower Test Match versus India. This clearly demonstrates the demand for cricket in the East Midlands.

Nottinghamshire CCC Chief Executive David Collier commented:

"Since 1998, Nottinghamshire CCC has invested more than £10m in developing Trent Bridge. This long term Staging Agreement provides the security of regular international cricket at Trent Bridge which is required to fund the existing and possible new developments at the ground. We are delighted Trent Bridge is the first Test Match Ground to sign a long term agreement with the ECB and that cricket fans in the East Midlands can look forward to annual international cricket through to 2011."

Following today's announcement Nottinghamshire CCC will be selling tickets to its members from 23 September, and to the general public from 7 October for next year's international matches at Trent Bridge.

ECB Chief Executive Tim Lamb said, "I'm very pleased that the ECB has reached agreement with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club about the staging of future international matches at Trent Bridge. This longer term agreement will give Notts the certainty of international cricket until 2011 and enable the club to continue developing the already-impressive facilities at the ground."

For further information contact:
John Read, ECB Director of Corporate Affairs on 07774 476 391
David Collier, Notts CCC Chief Executive on 07768 558 130

© ECB 2002