Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl is lined up to host England’s third Test against New Zealand if Yorkshire members do not approve reforms at next week’s EGM
- Yorkshire members could face a 500-mile round trip if they reject new reforms
- Headingley is set to host England’s third Test against New Zealand later this year
- But the match could be moved to Hampshire if Yorkshire do not approve reforms
Yorkshire members wanting to attend England’s third Test against New Zealand, due to be staged at Headingley this year, could face a 500-mile round-trip to Southampton if they reject reforms at next week’s EGM.
The ECB has run a tender process to find new hosts if they revoke Headingley’s international status, with Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl the contingency plan.
The ECB are adamant Yorkshire will lose the New Zealand Test and a one-day international with South Africa if members do not approve reforms.
Yorkshire could lose the right to host an England Test if they fail to approve new reforms
The club are forced to make changes after Azeem Rafiq’s testimony about racism at the club
Changes demanded include having eight independent directors on their board and confirming Lord Kamlesh Patel as chairman.
But there is increasing confidence the reforms will be introduced.
Sportsmail reported earlier this week that the country could be liquidated and reformed as a new club in a manner similar to Bury AFC and AFC Wimbledon if their members do not approve governance reforms next week.
Changes demanded include confirming Lord Kamlesh Patel (pictured) as Yorkshire chairman
The 159-year-old club have been given until the end of the month to formally accept changes to their Board demanded by the ECB in order to regain the right to stage international matches at Headingley, without which they face being declared bankrupt.
Former chairman Robin Smith is seeking to block the reforms however, and has twice succeeded in postponing extraordinary general meetings at which members will be asked to endorse the changes.
Another EGM has been called by current chairman Lord Patel, now scheduled for a week on Wednesday 30 March.
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