Edgbaston’s chief executive has predicted a record crowd after securing an Ashes test next year.
Warwickshire County Cricket Club boss Colin Povey said a five-day test match against Australia is likely to exceed the record 101,000 crowd Edgbaston enjoyed in the 2009 Ashes.
Edgbaston will host the third test of the 2015 Ashes, between July 29 and August 2, which will deliver a major boost to the club, amid “stretched” finances.
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The club was granted a repayment holiday from Birmingham City Council on a £20 million loan for the ground’s expansion last year, amid a lean season for major matches, but Mr Povey said an Ashes season might mean it could pay back more than required next year.
“I still think that is the biggest ticket in world cricket,” Mr Povey said. “To get a premium slot in the middle of the series is perfect for us.
“We are delighted we have got it back in its rightful place.
“I am sure that if it goes to a Sunday then it will be a new record attendance,” he added.
Warwickshire’s finances are reliant on major international matches – much like most county cricket clubs – and the absence of a test match last year hit the business hard.
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It has focused on non-cricket income, and expects to report a growth in conference and events income of between 15 and 20 per cent this year.
However, after delaying loan payments for 18 months, only major test matches bring in enough revenue to really impact the balance sheet.
Mr Povey said: “The council has given us the ability to be flexible with repayment. When we have a slug of cash, like in an Ashes year, then there is the ability to pay more.
“We will be making our next payment in March 2015, in the run up to the Ashes summer.” He added: “The finances at the moment are stretched, and will remain stretched until we get that international allocation. It was ever thus.
“If you get the right allocation of games then it makes the profit and loss account look better.
“In the short term things remain tight and we are keeping a close eye on cash flow.
“We don’t ever want to have large surpluses or profits, but if we can cover our liabilities both in the short-term and longer-term with a reasonable degree of prudence then that is fine with us.”
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Mr Povey said he was hopeful that the club could have a more stable footing with forthcoming announcements on international matches.
The club is expecting an announcement at the end of this year or early next year confirming schedules for potentially up to 2023, which Mr Povey said “would be ideal for us”.
The games on offer for Edgbaston have been hampered by staging agreements with Headingley and the Oval, guaranteeing the grounds a certain number of international matches, which are set to end in the coming decade.
“The period to 2023 includes Ashes, India and Pakistan Test Matches, another Champions Trophy and a World Cup,” Mr Povey said.
“That puts an extra 67 days of cricket into the schedule for allocation in that period.
“I think that would take a huge amount of pressure off a lot of people.”
In the longer-term, plans to boost income at Warwickshire include a naming rights deal for Edgbaston.
Mr Povey said that longer-term understanding of the schedule was key this.
However, he said there had been little progress on talks, but it would likely be reignited if he could offer guaranteed matches against the likes of Pakistan and India to major multinationals.