13 Jul 2015 | Cricket
Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris has outlined his hopes of an Ashes Test returning to Wales in future after the successful staging of England's epic victory over Australia at The SSE SWALEC.
Capacity crowds of more than 15,000 on each of the four sun-soaked days went home delighted as England wrapped up the win on Saturday by 169 runs.
The Ashes was fantastic, not just great for the club, but for the city of Cardiff and Wales, said Hugh Morris, Glamorgan chief executive, to host one of the biggest sporting accessions that is anywhere is a great privilege, pleasure and honour.
We delivered on making Wales proud and putting on a great occasion. I think my staff delivered in spades.
Everybody that came through the gates at The SSE SWALEC had great experience, whether they were media, broadcast, spectators, sponsors and indeed the teams. Both teams scored at 4 an over, 40 wickets were taken and there was lots and lots of excitement.
Although Cardiff has hosted two successful England and Australia matches in the last six years, there was some early criticism of the host venue with question marks about the slowness of the pitch, but Morris believes detractors were proved wrong.
We wanted to defy them (the critics). It was frustrating earlier on, it was the same old people saying the same old things. I know we prepared well and have a really, really top team here.
Over the period of 4 days those that were doubting us at the beginning were won over. There was exciting cricket on the field, plenty of activity around the ground and the feedback we are getting has been terrific.
The reputation of the club and the city of Cardiff and Wales can only be enhanced by the game being broadcast around the world.
The economic impact in Wales has been very significant, we are bringing in £25 million of inward investment which is very significant for our local economy.
We are very aware of our responsibilities, in the community, we have a growing community programme in Cardiff and across Wales in conjunction with Cricket Wales, we want to see more and more people engaged with the game. We need to inspire the boys and girls of Wales that cricket is the national summer sport.
Our programmes in schools, clubs, BME communities and the growing of women's cricket is very important to us, you will certainly be seeing increased activity in those areas.
The Ashes may now move on to the Second Test at Lord's, but there is more international cricket in Cardiff on the horizon, starting with the England versus Australia clash in the only International T20 between the two teams which will be held in Cardiff on 31st August, but Hugh was keen to point out other highlights coming to the Welsh capital.
Next year we have two One-Day Internationals, one against Sri Lanka one against Pakistan. In 2017 and 2019 we have ICC Champions Trophy and ICC World Cup here.
Some time in 2016 we will need to put a bid together to host international matches between 2020 and 2023.
The way have delivered this game, and indeed in 2009, should give a lot of confidence to the ECB and others that we can deliver at the very highest level. We would be very keen in hosting another Ashes Test.
We work very closely with the Welsh Government, Cardiff City Council and many of our other partners and stakeholders. I think this is a real strength of our bid, it has been acknowledged before and will be again.
The warm and friendly welcome that people have had here, during this Ashes Test match, we have had feedback from Australians, from broadcasters, supporters from Wales and England that it has It has been a great experience for them, I think that sets us apart and will be recognized.