Lord's 'Masterplan' set to be scaled down after summer of poor attendances

Redevelopment of the main ground will still go ahead, in line with the diagrams submitted by the cutting-edge Swiss architects Herzog and de Meuron.

But for the moment, the only areas that will be extended are the Compton and Edrich stands, the uncovered seating blocks on either side of the famous Media Centre. These will take in an extra 3,500 seats, lifting capacity to 32,000.

The other stands in need of overhaul are the Tavern, the Warner and the Allen, but these are more likely to be modernisations than expansions, unless attendances suddenly pick up.

The overall budget is hard to pin down, as the project will take at least a decade to complete, but current projections place it between £140 million and £190 million — a subtle shift from initial forecasts of well over £200 million.

The planning behind what the MCC call their “Vision for Lord’s” began in 2007, before the credit crunch hit home. It was also a time when Lord’s could confidently expect to land two Tests every summer, but this has now been thrown into doubt by the arrival of Cardiff’s Swalec Stadium and the Rose Bowl as Test grounds.

The expansion of the ground was always provisional, based on the surety of Test-match cricket in the future. But the MCC have not been able to win any guarantees from the England and Wales Cricket Board, and the whole structure of the Test bidding process is being reviewed by the consultancy firm Deloittes.

The climate of uncertainty in sport extends beyond cricket, with attendances at some Premier League football grounds shrinking under the pressure of economic austerity. Wolverhampton Wanderers, for instance, may have to reconsider their plan to add 8,000 seats to Molineux when they are struggling to sell out the 29,000 they already have.

Back at Lord’s, another part of the MCC’s vision involved building five towers of flats along the Wellington Road side of the ground, and using the resulting income to set up an underground complex — probably housing an indoor cricket centre and a sports-injury clinic — beneath the Nursery Ground.

While sporting attendances may be in flux, the value of property in St John’s Wood remains at a premium, and the MCC are pressing on confidently with the most eye-catching parts of their scheme.

They have commissioned dramatic artists’ impressions showing steps leading to a catacomb underneath the Nursery Ground pitch — a complex that is likely to offer a new home to the venerable Lord’s museum. The drawings also suggest that the patchwork of buildings behind the pavilion side of the main ground may be razed to create an extended version of the Coronation Gardens.

Lord’s already attracts many spectators because it is seen as a special day out — an asset that helps it bring in decent crowds during B-list fixtures such as the recent neutral Test between Pakistan and Australia. These improvements are only likely to add to its appeal.

The major building project will open up the railway tunnels underneath the Nursery Ground to release a massive quantity of valuable NW8 real estate.

The MCC confirmed that they are currently evaluating tenders from three shortlisted development companies in their search for the ‘Vision for Lord’s’ partner.

Almacantar, Capital & Counties and Native Land have now submitted their financial proposals and the club are about to begin the process of deciding which version they favour, starting on Monday. But the project still has a lengthy road to travel before the diggers arrive on site.

“Evaluating the financial proposals for this first phase is a very detailed process and these tenders will be carefully considered over the coming weeks,” said Keith Bradshaw, MCC secretary and chief executive.

“In all our deliberations, and as we question the developers in response to their bids, we must be mindful of the long term economic picture and the changing nature of the game itself.”

Planning permission has yet to be applied for, on the basis that the Herzog and de Meuron diagrams are bound to be adjusted — to a lesser or greater extent — by whichever developer is awarded the contract. And even before that can happen, the members will have to approve the blueprint for the project. That consultation is expected to begin early in the new year.

The best laid plans...

The residential development: Five tower blocks, comprising 156 homes that add up to 380,000 square feet. With a 30 per cent premium above the going rate for St John’s Wood, the value of the property would be in about £750 million.

The Nursery Ground basement: To contain an indoor cricket centre and the museum, as well as a pavilion and bar. The Nursery Ground to grow by 20 per cent, allowing first-class cricket to be staged, easing fixture congestion.

Access: The wall around Lord’s to be replaced with railings, creating a less forbidding exterior. Plans to create a dedicated Lord’s station in the disused Chiltern Line tunnels have have been dropped.

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Jim White: rise of poor Pohnpei is one in the eye for world rankings

 Enjoying the moment: India's victory over Australia means they have now lost three Test matches on the bounce for the first time since 1988 Photo: AP

Lying at the bottom of RoonBa's world rankings, the list which sifts the detritus below even the official Fifa order, this is a country that had never, in its history, won a match.

With annual rainfall double that of Blaenau Ffestiniog, a local obesity rate of 90 per cent and a training pitch that is home to thousands of mating toads, at the time it did not look like that its ignominious title was under any real threat.

Well, this week, comes amazing news: Pohnpei are on the up. Even as England were toiling against Montenegro, for the first time ever the islanders triumphed in a 90-minute match, albeit against a club side from neighbouring Guam. And more to the point, it was a victory engineered by an English coach.

"It's just amazing how hard these lads have worked," said Paul Watson, younger brother of the comedian Mark Watson. "We have put them through 5am sessions before work, not to mention the hours spent on our waterlogged pitch."

Perhaps sensing he has taken Pohnpei as far as he can, Watson is now on his way home, to seek further footballing opportunities here. A youthful, winning English coach with foreign experience: someone alert the Football Association.

Australia’s failings worth double take

The full houses which greeted the Indian cricket team's victory over Australia in Bangalore have led some commentators to herald the return of the primacy of the Test match, for so long withering in the subcontinental shadow of Twenty20.

It may be a little premature for such certainty.

As the attendances at Commonwealth Games archery, hockey and badminton demonstrated, the Indian public will come out in droves to watch their sports people win.

It was not to do with the format: in truth the crowds would have been huge had Sachin Tendulkar's lads been triumphant in tiddlywinks.

Still, those who were there will have been observers of a moment of history: with their 2-0 defeat to India, Australia have now lost three Test matches on the bounce for the first time since 1988.

We can only gloat in its repetition: the Australian cricket team have now lost three Test matches on the bounce for the first time since 1988.

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Authorities close in on former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi

Modi is one of six being investigated by Chennai police, a group that also includes Seamus O’Brien, the chief operating officer of the World Sports Group. The allegations stem from a BCCI investigation into a facilitation fee paid to WSG for the Indian media rights to the IPL, the sale of mid-over advertising slots and security at the ground.

The BCCI claims the payment to WSG, reported to be £60 million, was improper. Modi’s lawyer stated that he had not received any formal notice of action from the Indian passport authorities and was co-operating with the investigations. “We have not got anything directly from any agency, nor has anything been copied to us,” said Mehmood Abdi.

“It is surprising since Modi has been fully co-operating with the Enforcement Directorate in the best possible manner through his lawyers and attorneys, he has responded to each and every summons on time, provided all documents or explanations as sought by the directorate.”

A source described the latest moves as “the end game”. It appears his enemies in India, which range from government ministers to rivals within the BCCI, are intent on ruining him.

Sources have told Telegraph Sport that simply ejecting him from cricket administration in India would not be the end of the story. Modi, with his contacts in business and sport, could simply set up another IPL in a different part of Asia, possibly Abu Dhabi.

The Modi situation is tearing the IPL apart. This week two teams with ties close to Modi were ejected from the IPL for alleged ownership violations. Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab are now seeking legal action against the BCCI as they fight for the survival of their multi-million dollar franchises.

The first step is to head into arbitration with the BCCI but the ultimate aim will be to sue for damages if they are not allowed to compete in IPL 4 next year. Sources have indicated that a legal action and injunctions against the BCCI could prevent the IPL taking place in 2011.

The Royals will today issue an open letter to their supporters detailing their ownership model and stating the BCCI has been fully aware of the stake held by Modi’s brother-in-law, Suresh Chellaram, and the fact that its holding company is based in Mauritius.

“We will do everything to protect a business that is more than a business,” writes Manoj Badale, the chairman of the Rajasthan Royals.

The expulsions have created panic among the other team owners, who have seen the values of their franchises wiped away.

The IPL web spreads far and wide. Cricket South Africa is also in turmoil following allegations of bonuses paid to its officials for helping to organise the IPL in 2008 when it was prevented from being played in India due to security concerns.

Officials from Cricket South Africa were congratulated at the time for organising the tournament in their country at short notice.

But its chief executive, Gerald Majola, is being criticised after the CSA remuneration committee discovered he had paid himself a bonus of 1.7 million rand [£156,000] for the successful hosting of the IPL and 2008 Champions Trophy. Majola has subsequently offered to repay the bonus monies

The payments came to light when the committee refused to sign off the yearly accounts. An independent probe was launched and then disbanded in favour of an internal review.

That has infuriated the International Cricket Council, which this week passed a motion stating that boards must be subject to independent investigation when any allegations of financial impropriety are made. What is central to the case in South Africa is whether or not Majola declared his personal interest in the IPL when he negotiated its staging in South Africa.

The IPL scandal has been rumbling on for six months with investigations into alleged laundering through companies based in Mauritius and the skimming off of funds from contracts the league has signed over the past three years.

It is unlikely Modi will go quietly. He has been embroiled in a nasty stand-off with N Srinivasan, the president elect of the BCCI and owner of the Madras IPL franchise.

Srinivasan, who will soon sit on the board of the ICC, is the subject of a court case fighting off claims he changed the constitution of the BCCI, which outlawed any official having a commercial interest in domestic teams. The new constitution excludes Twenty20 from such constraints, freeing Srinivasan to be the owner of one of the most valuable franchises in the IPL.

It is an ugly time for a brand which was founded on glamour and projecting a renewed image of modern India.

POLICE CASE

»The Madras police have registered a case against Modi and six others, which is the first step of a criminal case.

»What they uncover will then determine whether charges are brought. They are investigating criminal conspiracy, cheating and falsification of accounts.

»The case has been registered under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery), 477 A (falsification of accounts) and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

RISE AND FALL

»September 2007 Put in charge of the newly established IPL. Originally a response to the rebel ICL, Modi helps to attract high-profile stars and lucrative corporate deals to the new league.

»March 2009 Largely at Modi’s behest, the second edition of the IPL is moved to South Africa over security concerns but proves to be a resounding success.

»October 2009 Domestic teams from around the world are in thrall to Modi’s empire as the inaugural Champions League takes place, with prize money of $6 million.

»April 2010 After Modi reveals in a Tweet the names of two new stake-holders, tax officials raid his offices to investigate allegations of corruption. He is sacked as IPL commissioner.

»May 2010 The chairman of the ECB, Giles Clarke, in a leaked email to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, accuses Modi of trying to set up a rebel Twenty20 league in England. Modi sues Clarkefor libel.

»October 2010 The BCCI file a criminal complaint against Modi, alleging that he misappropriated more than £65 million in television money.

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The Ashes 2010: I am the right man to captain Australia against England, says Ricky Ponting

Pressure has mounted on Ponting's leadership ahead of the five-Test home Ashes series against England, with Australia now having lost three consecutive Tests for the first time in more than 20 years.

However, when asked if he was the right man to captain Australia this summer, Ponting said: "Absolutely, I've got no doubt about that at all.

"It was disappointing over there (India)... but that's the game of cricket.

"I'm still learning about my own game and my captaincy and if the other players can learn a bit from that trip then it should hold us in good stead for the summer.

"I'm trying to do my best as captain to help some of these guys through some difficult times. That's all I can continue to do.

"I give my absolute best as always, ever since I've been the Australian captain, to be the best leader I can be and be the best player I can be and if I get criticised for that along the way then I can't do anything about that."

Lawson has called for current vice-captain Michael Clarke to lead Australia against England at the Gabba in Brisbane on Nov 25.

Lawson said Ponting, 35, had now lost five series as skipper, and relieving him of the captaincy would allow him to focus more on his batting.

"I mean he's now lost five series, it may be time to say, 'Look mate, we've got Michael Clarke ready to go with a nice fresh young mind," Lawson said.

"'He (Clarke) can be the captain and you focus on your batting and try to restore yourself to the level we know you're capable.'"

But Clarke has his own problems and scored just 35 runs from four innings in the Indian Test series.

Ponting, meanwhile, said he had told Warne directly of his feelings about controversial remarks made by the fromer spinner on Twitter.

"I sent (Warne) a few texts and I'm not hiding the fact I was really disappointed with the tweets that I read," Ponting said.

"I've just got to put it behind me now. I told him that I was a bit disappointed, and I thought what he had to say was very unfair, for the fact it was pretty ill-informed comments that he made.

"I've never been one to run away or be too big or too good for criticism."

The embattled skipper, though, was given a vote of confidence from the federal Sports Minister, Mark Arbib.

"I'm a big fan of Punter (Ponting)," Arbib said. "I think Ricky Ponting has been a wonderful captain for our country and over a long period of time so I think he will remain as captain going through the Ashes."

Former fast bowler Brett Lee said the three successive Test losses would rule out any complacency ahead of the Ashes that might have crept into the Australian dressing room.

"The thing I can say is complacency won't be setting in now because the shoe is on the other foot," Lee said.

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The Ashes 2010: Kevin Pietersen out for a duck as batting troubles continue

Troubles: Kevin Pietersen was out for nought in his latest innings prompting fresh concerns over his form heading in to the Ashes series next month.

Pietersen, who is in South Africa to try and put some confidence boosting runs on the board before the Ashes series, is currently involved in the second of a two-game stint with the Kwa-Zulu Natal union.

Having made an attacking 36 in his only chance to bat against the Warriors in Pietermaritzburg eight days ago, he was searching for more time in the middle at Kingsmead on day two of the four-day SuperSport Series encounter.

But with the ball seaming around in the coastal city, the home side were in all sorts of trouble responding to the Titans’ 242 and were reduced to 19 for two after 8.1 overs when Pietersen walked in.

The right-hander let the first ball go through outside off-stump, but was given out next ball when he was rapped on the pads in front of the stumps by Ethy Mbhalati, who took his third wicket in the process.

Pietersen is desperate to get back to his best for the series in Australia after a mediocre summer in which he made just one score of over 50 in Test cricket.

He last scored a Test century on the tour of West Indies last March and was dropped for the recent limited-overs series against Pakistan due to poor form.

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The Ashes 2010: James Anderson suffered broken rib boxing on England bonding trip

Anderson has been nursing the injury since the end of September and it is expected to take at least another month to heal fully.

However, a short ECB statement released this morning said the Lancashire seamer would fly out with the rest of the squad on Oct 29.

It continued: "It is anticipated that he will be fit and available for selection for the first Test against Australia in Brisbane."

The first Ashes Test begins on Nov 25 but Ajmal Shahzad, the Yorkshire swing bowler, will remain with the squad while Anderson recuperates.

Anderson was struck by an un-named fellow bowler during one of the physical sessions on the trip to Germany which included a visit to the Dachau concentration camp.

In the past England have often arrived in Australia carrying injured key players but it had been hoped it would be different this time with Andrew Strauss’ team the best prepared of any Ashes touring team.

Anderson is England’s highest ranked fast bowler. He is joint fourth in the ICC world rankings and enjoyed a terrific summer for England against Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The positive for England is that the injury is quite well timed because Anderson will not have to bowl a ball in anger for at least another three weeks, giving the bone time to mend.

But rib injuries are particularly nasty for quick bowlers and easily aggravated during the healing process. England have three warm-up matches before the first Test, starting against Western Australia in Perth on Nov 5.

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Ricky Ponting backed as Australia captain despite abject series in India

 Down but not out: Ricky Ponting remains 'the best man' for the job of Australia's cricket captain, says coach Tim Nielsen Photo: AFP

Former Australia bowler Geoff Lawson called for Ponting to be removed as captain, while Shane Warne questioned his fielding placements during the second Test at Bangalore.

Nielsen said: "While we haven't had some of the results we would have liked, there's no doubt in my mind, or anybody's mind inside the group, that Ricky is the right man to lead the team.

"There is nobody better in Australian cricket or world cricket to lead this side. As the captain of this team and the leader of our group, he does a great job in keeping a consistent outlook on things.

"It is certainly not a time to be panicking. I can't think of a better person to be leading a group through a few ups and downs."

Speaking about the last-gasp, one-wicket loss in the first Test, the coach said: "We were probably one ball away from having a great Test match result at Mohali and I wonder if all these things would have been talked about if that was the case."

On the remarks made by Lawson and Warne, Nielsen said he expected past players to pass comment, but that he believed they need to be more careful with what they say.

"People are entitled to their opinions," Nielsen added. "I don't think we can sit here and expect past players not to talk about us.

"That's one of the rights they have as one of the 416 who have represented this country.

"You respect that past players have an understanding of what the game entails and how difficult the Test match arena is. I just hope, at times, they take a breath before they talk and have a think about what they maybe felt like under pressure."

Australia, who have slipped to fifth place in the Test rankings, will now meet India for a three-match one-day international series starting on Sunday, with the first match to be played in Kochi.

The No 1-ranked ODI side will be without many leading names, including Ponting. Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Michael Hussey, Tim Paine, Steve Smith and Nathan Hauritz are the only members of the Test squad in the 50-over party.

The hosts have also rested Sachin Tendulkar, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan and Pragyan Ojha. Pace bowler Ishant Sharma will also miss the series due to a minor injury.

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Leicestershire's directors resign en masse

The entire board faced a no confidence vote at next month's SGM which had been called following a petition raised by disgruntled members who also wanted to hear why chief executive David Smith resigned in June.

But a comprise between the board and the petitioners has led to the SGM cancelled in return for all five directors agreeing to stand down at the annual meeting which is likely to be held in mid-February.

The directors may decide to stand for re-election but alternative candidates for the board are expected to come forward.

"The petitioners feel that, in view of the board's willingness to compromise, the cancellation of the SGM is in the best interests of the club and will allow the club to move forward," said the petitioners in a statement.

Meanwhile Leicestershire have appointed former county batsman Paul Haywood as their new chairman as successor to Neil Davidson who stepped down last week after failing to persuade captain Matthew Hoggard to withdraw a letter to the board calling for him to stand down.

Haywood tendered his resignation last month when the board gave Davidson a vote of confidence but was re-instated as a director following Davidson's departure.

Mike Siddall, who has been acting chief executive since Smith resigned, has been appointed to the post on a permanent basis.

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International Cricket 2010 (PS3) (UK)

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The Ashes 2010: James Anderson's plans hit by blow from Chris Tremlett

Boxing not so clever: James Anderson dons the gloves and headguard, but his ribs felt the blow from Chris Tremlett Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Telegraph Sport understands it was a blow from 6ft 7in fast bowler Tremlett during a boxing session on the team's recent bonding trip to Germany that left Anderson with an injury to his left side which is likely to rule him out of at least the opening warm-up match against Western Australia starting on Nov 5.

The England management say they believe Anderson will be fit for the first Test, which starts in Brisbane on Nov 25, but his workload will have to be "managed" for the first few weeks of the tour.

The fact the injury is to his left side is an added and potentially serious complication. Fast bowlers in the past have struggled to shake off less serious injuries to a part of the body which is pivotal to a bowling action.

Anderson is understood to be bitterly disappointed by the injury, which was sustained during a boxing bout with a player five inches taller and of a thicker build. The irony is that Tremlett now has an early chance to pus his own claims for a Test place

Even if he recovers in time for the first Test the injury will affect Anderson's preparations and he will not want to miss more than the first warm-up match.

The three practice games will be a crucial period for the bowlers to become accustomed to the Kookaburra ball and Australian pitches.

Anderson suffered the blow during one of several physical sessions held during the four-day trip to Germany. Sources have indicated that the injury was not thought to be serious at the time. Anderson went abseiling afterwards but later reported soreness in his ribs.

The injury will raise questions about the wisdom of the Germany trip, which followed a gruelling summer that included a World Twenty20 tournament, six Tests and the emotional stress of the match-fixing scandal.

But Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower, the team director, believe it was crucial for building bonds ahead of a tour on which unity will be important.

Ajmal Shahzad, the Yorkshire bowler, is likely to cover for Anderson in the squad. England's final warm-up match is against Australia A in Hobart, a week before the first Test. Anderson would have to play to be considered for the first Test.

Kevin Pietersen's search for form continues after he was dismissed for a second-ball duck for Dolphins on Friday.

Pietersen made 36 in his first match for the South African franchise and has one more innings in this game before flying out to Australia to rejoin England.

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