CRICKET:THE SECOND stage in the creation of a 12,000-capacity international standard cricket ground in Malahide got the green light yesterday with confirmation that the government will provide €450,000 towards the cost of the redevelopment.

Malahide Cricket Club have already relaid the square at their ground at a cost of €70,000, 51 per cent of which came from the club and the balance from Fingal County Council.

The government money is to be used on the development of a new outfield and grass banking that would accommodate the vast majority of the crowd, almost doubling the size of the ground to 17,000 square metres.

The club have been granted council-owned land on the Malahide Castle estate known as the Lady Acre, with the present boundary wall set to be removed to facilitate the ground development.

The club has completed a tender process that has still to be approved by the government before work can commence.

Project manager Ian Talbot has not ruled out the possibility that the ground could be ready in time for Malahide to apply to host next summer’s One-Day International against England, although he admitted that the winter weather will have a big say in that.

Cricket Ireland have worked with Malahide on the project and have committed to staging international matches at the ground once it is up and running.

Welcoming the announcement, Cricket Ireland chief executive Warren Deutrom said: “Cricket Ireland is delighted with the announcement of funding for the development of Malahide CC into an international venue.

“It is entirely fitting that one of the true cricket heartlands in this country will play host in years to come to the great teams of the world, such as England and Australia, as Ireland builds on its success and its aspirations to challenge the world’s best.”