Judging by the famous names who have graced the turf at Shenley Cricket Centre this summer, it seems that the historic ground is now marked on the map of world cricket.

Stars of the game such as Brian Lara, Mike Gatting and Aravinda da Silva have all featured in what has been the busiest season in the history of the centre, situated at Shenley Park.

Middlesex County Cricket Club played two matches there, including one against Sri Lanka, and the centre's management hopes to attract more high-class cricket next season.

But, despite such success, the future of the centre remains in doubt, because there is strong opposition to a plan to improve its facilities by building an indoor cricket school.

Director of cricket Mark Stear said that without the proposed indoor school, which would include a private fitness club, the centre would struggle to survive.

"The cricket centre is not making any money the owner is running it at a loss," he said.

"If we could have the indoor facility it would benefit sport in the area and it would allow us to continue maintaining this beautiful ground."

However, Shenley Parish Council has objected to the plan, which is due to be discussed by the borough council, the owner of the land, in the next few months.

Parish councillors do not believe it is appropriate to run a private fitness club on land which, as a designated public open space, is meant to be for the benefit of the local community. Shenley Village Society has also complained about noise from hospitality functions at the centre, which it says the management is not entitled to hold.

Mr Stear, who runs the centre with his wife, Teresa, maintains that villagers are welcome to walk around the site, and says he is taking steps to control noise from parties.

In the two years since the couple took over the ground, they have a developed a youth cricket programme, which currently involves two teams and around 80 youngsters.

Mr Stear argues that the indoor cricket school will allow the centre to provide all-year-round coaching for colts, and a winter practice venue for local senior cricket clubs.

Shenley Village Cricket Club now plays its home matches on second pitch, and the centre has hosted several junior and senior competitions in recent months.

This summer the centre drew a crowd of 3,000 to the Middlesex and Sri Lanka match, and it hopes to host games involving the Pakistan and South Africa national sides next year.

October 1, 2002 16:30