Glamorgan chief Alan Hamer delighted with Ashes Test award
Last updated on .From the section Cricket
Glamorgan chief executive Alan Hamer has expressed his delight at being awarded a prestigious Ashes test.
The Swalec Stadium in Cardiff will host an England versus Australia clash in 2015, as well as a Test against New Zealand in 2013.
Hamer said: "I'm delighted and relieved. It's been a long, six month process.
"Today's announcement is a reflection on the quality of our bid and also how we've staged matches."
Glamorgan struggled after a rain-drenched Test against Sri Lanka this summer at the Swalec saw them make £1.5m losses on the match.
Further adding to their financial woes, a Test against the West Indies due to take place in 2012 was removed by the England and Wales Cricket Board and handed to Lord's after the Welsh county delayed payment for the Sri Lanka match.
Hamer said: "Our financial position has been quite challenging, it will remain so, but what today's announcement has done is give our business plan some clear water and we can plan for the future knowing we will be staging marquee events.
"We've learnt some hard lessons over the last few years. We were a bit naive when we first went into the bidding process, we've learnt the hard way and we're more streetwise.
"However, the matches we've been allocated have been at a fraction of the price we've paid historically."
Ashes Test's are the crown jewels of the cricket calendar, often bringing in up to seven-figure profits.
However, the Glamorgan chief urged caution: "We can't get carried away, we haven't got a pot of gold."
The decision to award the 2015 Ashes Test to Cardiff has not been without controversy.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan has tweeted: "IMO [in my opinion] Cardiff shouldn't be hosting an Ashes Test... too many better grounds around that are missing out."
However, Hamer said these Tests would put Cardiff on the cricket map.
"In five years' time people will be talking about us the same way they talk about other traditional grounds," he added.
Cardiff will also be the venue for next years' domestic T20 finals day, five ODIs and a T20 international.
