Middlesex say staging T20 games at Chelmsford provides 'financial stability'
- Published
Chelmsford will stage two Middlesex Blast fixtures in 2024
Middlesex have responded to criticism from members about staging two games in Essex, saying it was to "ensure the financial stability" of the club.
The Lord's-based county will play two T20 Blast fixtures at Chelmsford, against Kent and Gloucestershire.
Those fixtures will replace games Middlesex would usually play at club grounds such as Radlett or Northwood.
"Members have our assurance that this decision has not been taken lightly," a statement on the club's website read.
"It is clear from the many comments made by members on social media, and from those members who have contacted the club directly, that we need to offer further clarity on the rationale for this decision.
"First and foremost, we understand the initial reaction from members - as at face value, the logic of Middlesex playing two 'home' matches at the ground of another county seems is difficult to understand.
"There are several reasons why we have had to do so - most importantly to ensure the financial stability of the club moving forwards."
'Chelmsford is a trial'
Middlesex were sanctioned by the England & Wales Cricket Board in September for breaches of its financial regulations.
The decision comes following an ECB investigation into funds provided to the Middlesex Cricket Board (MCB) and Middlesex County Cricket Club.
"It is important to understand that the two matches at Chelmsford in 2024 are being run as a trial, which will be fully reviewed with members at the end of the season," the club added.
"Both Essex and Middlesex will pay 50% of the operational costs of the matches, which are approximately half what it would cost us to set up an out-ground at a club venue.
"Middlesex will receive a share of the gate revenue and will receive a share of the hospitality revenue for each match."
Middlesex also pointed to the unavailability of Lord's for three T20 Blast matches.
The staging costs of three T20 games staged at club venues with considerable periods of time in between each would prove too costly for the club's current finances, Middlesex say.
The statement added: "Essentially, playing at Chelmsford instead of an out-ground club ground already saves the club a significant sum on the costs of setting up the game.
"When potential revenue from gate receipts and hospitality are factored in, the club stands to potentially be making a financial upturn of six figures plus.
"Our priority is always to play as much cricket as we can at Lord's, and in 2024 we will be playing a similar volume of cricket at Lord's than we have in previous seasons.
"We are still waiting on confirmation from Lord's that they will be able to host two of our Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches in 2024, which if agreeable, would see an increase in the volume of days of cricket Middlesex will play at Lord's this year compared to last."
Middlesex will host one T20 Blast match at a club ground when Hampshire visit Radlett on 6 July.
The club have said this is because the staging costs can be shared with Sunrisers, the women's regional team made up of Middlesex, Essex and Northamptonshire.
"The reason we are hosting that game at Radlett and incurring the costs for the out ground set up on this occasion, is because the Sunrisers are also playing at Radlett on Sunday 7th July - enabling us to spread the cost of this set-up across the two matches."