Posted by 
A major milestone in the development of a new home for Lancashire Cricket has been reached a year on from construction of the new Farington cricket facility beginning.
Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Cricket are working together to build the new facility with work starting on the project in November 2023. The aim is to see the first innings played at the ground at the start of the 2026 cricket season for up to 5,000 spectators.
The development will provide two pitches, one professional and one for the community, and a training area. The construction of the new cricket facility is being carried out by Lancashire-based Eric Wright Construction, whose headquarters are in Bamber Bridge.
Read more: Senior manager at Lancashire County Council vows to quit if discussions between execs made public
The professional pitch and natural turf section of the training has now been handed over to Lancashire County Council and Lancashire Cricket so they can be developed and maintained.
To mark the milestone, Lancashire cricketers Tom Bailey and Alice Clarke visited the new pitch, which is destined to be their second home, along with the club’s head groundsman, Matt Merchant, and former Lancashire and England bowler Paul Allott.
They were welcomed by Cllr Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, and Cllr Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth.
Matt Merchant, head groundsman at Lancashire Cricket, said: “It is a really exciting day for the club as we receive the handing over of the professional cricket oval from Eric Wright Construction.
“On behalf of everyone at Lancashire Cricket, I would like to thank Eric Wright Construction for all of their hard work and efforts in helping us to reach this milestone.
“Specialist work will now begin to take place by our grounds team in order to ensure the pitch is bedded in and prepared ahead of cricket taking place at Farington during the 2026 season.”
Much of the focus on the remaining work will be on the cricket pavilion with the foundations now being laid. Work will also continue to complete the outfield on the community pitch.
The Farington facility will become Lancashire Cricket’s second home after Emirates Old Trafford. The site will serve as a North West Centre of Excellence for the women’s game.
Cllr Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This pioneering facility is one of a kind in the UK, and we’re incredibly proud and excited to be delivering this in Lancashire.
“A huge amount of progress has been made and we’re now working through the handover process for the professional pitch and part of the training area, which will allow the pitches to be developed and maintained while other works continue.
“We’ll now be working hard to complete the community pitch and pavilion, which will pave the way for a new generation of cricket stars.”
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
