Middlesex has had a history of a slightly nomadic lifestyle: Chief executive Andrew Cornish

Cornish has highlighted the benefits of the club's "nomadic" status, noting their successful navigation of it for 160 years with considerable success.

By CricTracker Staff

Updated - 21 Apr 2024, 23:30 IST

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Middlesex are considering a departure from Lord's due to concerns about inadequate first-class infrastructure. Meanwhile, the club's chief executive Andrew Cornish stated that the ground should continue serving North London's cricket community and even consider hosting two Hundred teams. It is worth noting that, since 1864, Middlesex have been MCC's primary tenant at Lord's. 

Cornish has highlighted the benefits of the club's "nomadic" status, noting their successful navigation of it for 160 years with considerable success. He also emphasized Middlesex's tenant status and strategic partnership with MCC, adding when MCC undertakes redevelopment projects like the Tavern and Allen Stands, it is them who spearhead the efforts.

"It's likely that MCC will probably want to run London Spirit on their own, but that opens us up to some very constructive conversations. It frees us up to explore more ambitious medium- to longer-term opportunities for Middlesex," Cornish told ESPNcricinfo.

"Middlesex has had a history of a slightly nomadic lifestyle. We've successfully done that for 160 years and had a lot of success. We are a tenant with a strategic relationship with MCC, and it's not all bad, because when MCC redevelop the Tavern and Allen Stands, they are the ones redeveloping it, not us. But the trade-off is we play at Lord's. When we attract new players, like Mark Stoneman or Leus du Plooy, one of the reasons they come is to call this home."

Also read: Cloud County Ground honours Essex Legends Gooch, Cook by renaming stands

Why could Lord's not become like the San Siro in Milan? : Cornish

Andrew Cornish later said that Middlesex are financially secure, citing they have a robust two-year plan. He underscored the club's significant contribution to cricket at Lord's, noting that most MCC members deeply care about Middlesex's success. He further pondered why Lord's couldn't emulate venues like the San Siro in Milan, hosting multiple teams such as AC Milan and Inter Milan. 

"Middlesex isn't going to go bust. We have a very robust two-year plan. Of course, you can never say never after the pandemic, but within our control, we are on a very strong financial footing now. And it's only going to get stronger," Cornish added. 

Also read: Tom Hartley dropped by Lancashire for their second County Championship fixture

"The majority of elite cricket that's put on here is put on by Middlesex. I think the majority of MCC members do care passionately about Middlesex and how Middlesex do. All of the financial modelling that's been done by Deloitte shows that, if there's an expansion of the Hundred, London should have three or maybe even four teams. We've got to get away from the romance of certain things, and run this as a business. Why could Lord's not become like the San Siro in Milan, and have AC Milan and Inter Milan both playing here? We will focus on that as our ambition right now," he said further.

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