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New aerial pictures show the cricket pitches at the state-of-the-art Lancashire Cricket site in Farington taking shape.
Due to be completed by summer next year the multi-million pound project is to include two full-size cricket ovals, a two-storey pavilion building and practice nets.
Lancashire Cricket has committed to hosting T20 games, four-day county fixtures and Lancashire women’s team games at the facility spread across 14-hectares of land near Leyland and Lostock Hall.
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The aerial images show Stanifield Lane at the top of the pictures, with the two oval pitches clearly visible along with a large rectangular area which is where the netting area will be for practice.
Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton said: “It is fantastic to see the progress which has been made on-site, even since my last visit just six weeks ago. The venue is really starting to take shape now and you can visualise what it is going to look like further down the line.
“To have an additional site to Emirates Old Trafford, which has been under huge pressure in recent years, which we will have total control over its elite facilities is going to be game-changing for us. To have a venue of this size and scope, with the quality of the drainage this will allow us to deal with adverse weather conditions and get more games on away from Emirates Old Trafford.
“With the progress being made on-site, we are all growing in confidence that the venue will host some cricket during the second half of 2025 with the possibility of both our men’s and women’s squads playing some first team cricket here during the 2026 season.”
Watch an update from LancsTV below during a visit to the site, or on their YouTube channel
Cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, county councillor Aidy Riggott, told Blog Preston: “Work is progressing well on site and you can really see it taking shape now. We’re proud to be working with locally-based Eric Wright Group and Lancashire Cricket on this landmark and pioneering project.
“Work to construct the pitches and cricket squares is now well underway and will complete later this summer, to allow time for the pitches to bed in.
“This project will deliver high-quality facilities for grassroots cricket organisations in Lancashire, schools and the wider community, as well as benefits for health, exercise and wellbeing.”
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Lead director at Eric Wright Construction, James Eager, said: “We are proudly working in partnership with Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Cricket Club to deliver a new facility in Farington that will bring together elite and community cricket and also be a women’s centre of excellence for the North West of England.
“The team are continuing to make strong progress, transforming this site from a farmer’s field at the start of the year to now seeing the County and Community pitches shaping up. We’re looking forward to seeing this project continue to come to life and providing a cricket facility that will benefit the local and sporting communities for many years to come.”
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