Stormont in line for £1million funding boost to bring World Cup cricket to Belfast
The Northern Ireland Civil Service Sports Association (NICSSA) site will undergo significant changes as part of Phase 1 of a longer-term master plan aimed at redeveloping the site's sporting, health, and wellbeing facilities.
The intention is to erect permanent seating at the ground, as well as broadcast facilities, which would allow top-level matches to be played there in five years' time, with Ireland already confirmed as co-hosts of the tournament alongside England, Wales and Scotland.
Stormont has been the host of significant games down the years, including Ireland's victory over Zimbabwe last July.
'The NICSSA Sports Precinct is a fundamentally important venue for Irish cricket – it not only features one of our leading international grounds but provides crucial space for community and domestic representative cricket to take place,' commented Cricket Ireland chair Brian MacNeice.
"The Stormont Cricket Ground holds a great fondness for Irish fans for the many international matches it has held over the years – most notably the Test Match last year against Zimbabwe.
'Numerous reports over the years have highlighted that there is a lack of quality training and playing facilities on the island of Ireland. We now have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make major in-roads into resolving these issues.
'The proposed redevelopment of the NICSSA facilities is a project that the Board is fully supportive of, and it has unanimously approved a £1 million strategic investment in Phase 1 of the development.
'If you consider this project, the new Stadium at Abbottstown and our direct support for facilities upgrade proposals at Bready and Malahide, we are demonstrating our resolve to tackle the facilities and infrastructure deficits in a substantial manner.'
Also agreed at the board meeting was the creation of five new hybrid pitches, three that will be at Stormont and two in Lisburn, as well as high-quality indoor and outdoor training spaces for all levels of cricket.
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Henry Pollock 8 This kid is pure X-factor and has the ability to rip open the tightest of defences. Unlocked the Force defence with a stunning break before offloading to Williams for their second try. Pollock also regathered his own kick to set up the Lions' sixth try to hammer home his point of difference. There are still a few too many errors in his game but with Pollock on the field Farrell knows there will be at least three or four standout moments which can turn a game in their favour. Blotted his copybook with a yellow card. 7. Josh van der Flier 7 The experienced Irishman put in a huge defensive shift with 22 tackles made as he helped keep the Force to just the one try in what was a ferocious onslaught by the hosts during the opening quarter. His counter rucking is an underrated part of the game while he also carried well. But there were no turnovers for the Leinster star with referee Ben O'Keeffe not awarding a single jackal penalty over the course of the 80 minutes. 6. 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