Floodlights may be installed at Lord's after members of the MCC voted in favour of huge increases in their subscription charges. The move would mean the ground being able to stage day-night games and enabled play in Test matches to continue in poor light. The vote will mean more than 4,400 members having to pay 50 per cent extra and president designate Ted Dexter, the former England captain, said they had "put their bank second and the interests of cricket first".
A feasability study into the cost and practicalities of installing lights is to be carried out at a cost of £150,000. But the increase in membership fees will also enable the club to spend £2m on relaying the entire outfield and to use new 'drop-in' pitches, which have been used successfully in Australia and New Zealand.
Floodlit games have already been staged at several grounds in England, but Hove is the only one to have a permanent installation.
Bureau Report