Yorkshire CCC sign 10-year deal to keep county cricket at ‘jewel in the crown’ Scarborough

The agreement comes into force this year and follows the news that Scarborough CC will receive up to £250,000 for renovation work as part of the government’s Towns Fund.

Scarborough and Whitby secured a combined £37.3m to invest in their respective areas in the budget announced earlier this month, with the Towns Fund designed to “level up” the country economically.

Scarborough CC will use its funding to renovate the West Stand with new seating, bar facilities and female changing rooms, to upgrade toilet facilities in the North Stand and Trafalgar Square end, and to install new hybrid pitches for boys and girls cricket.

Confirmation of the deal between Yorkshire and Scarborough, which The Yorkshire Post reported last month was under way behind the scenes, is a significant boost for both parties ahead of the new season – not to mention those Yorkshire members and supporters who faithfully make the pilgrimage to the North Yorkshire coast every year.

Mark Arthur, the Yorkshire chief executive, said: “This is great news for both clubs and our members who attend Scarborough each summer.

“This ongoing relationship and commitment to playing 10 days of cricket at Scarborough will enable the much-loved ground to continually improve facilities within their financial capabilities. North Marine Road is the jewel in the crown for county cricket. Yorkshire’s members and visiting members alike love to watch cricket at this unique ground.

“We were disappointed not to host any cricket at Scarborough in 2020 due to Covid.

“However, our next match there will be against Lancashire in the County Championship, a game that we believe will attract the largest county crowd in recent years.”

That match will take place from July 11-14, with Yorkshire also playing a second Championship fixture at Scarborough when the tournament moves to its new divisional stage later in the summer, against opponents unknown and at a date to be determined.

North Marine Road will also host the One-Day Cup fixtures against Surrey on July 22 and against Northamptonshire on July 28, while Durham face Gloucestershire in a One-Day Cup game at Scarborough on July 29 – rounding off so-called Five Counties Week.

Paul Harrand, the Scarborough Cricket Club chairman, said: “We are delighted about the 10-year agreement. This allows us to plan for the future and gives us much-needed stability following a difficult year.

“Scarborough attracts the biggest crowds for four-day county cricket in the country. It is expected that hospitality for the first three days of the Roses match will be sold out, and we anticipate attracting crowds in excess of 5,000 or 6,000 per day. Advanced ticket sales have gone through the roof.

“We also have a five counties cricket week later in July, which has captured people’s imaginations.”

It was estimated a few years ago that Yorkshire cricket at Scarborough was worth around £4m to the local economy.

Harrand said: “Staging Yorkshire matches brings a lot of money into the Scarborough economy. The hotels and boarding houses are full, pubs and restaurants do increased trade, so it really benefits the town.

“This definitely helped us when applying for funds from the Town bid. If they can see Yorkshire committing for 10 years, I’m sure that we will be able to attract more investment. It is a great facility, but we need to keep moving forward. It is an ageing Victorian ground, so there are things that need doing.

“We have addressed that and we are now starting to get on top of those issues. It is like painting the Forth Road Bridge – once you have done one job, there is another one that needs doing.”

Harrand continued: “Our aim is to give the Yorkshire members and general public a good time when they walk through the gates at North Marine Road.

“To that end, the ground needs to look up to a certain standard and the facilities need to be there for people.

“We reckon in the next two-to-three years Scarborough will maintain the status of being the No 1 outground in the country.”

Tom Kohler-Cadmore struck his first half-century of pre-season – and Gary Ballance his second – as Yorkshire scored 250-7 from 60 overs on day one of a two-day friendly against Derbyshire at Derby.

Kohler-Cadmore retired out with 56 to his credit, made from 48 balls with nine fours and a six, after sharing 76 for the first wicket with Tom Loten, who retired on 32.

Ballance also retired out for 52, crafted from 83 balls with seven fours, as did Harry Brook, who contributed 48 from 54 balls with nine fours.

Will Fraine (24), David Willey (5) and Matthew Waite (4) were the batsmen who were actually dismissed, with Jonny Tattersall and Matty Fisher unbeaten on 16 and nine respectively.

In reply, Derbyshire had reached 61-1 from 30 overs at stumps, Waite taking the wicket to fall.

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