Hampshire fielders celebrate a Metro Bank Cup victory at Newclose.
The Isle of Wight's cricket ground at Newclose has once again missed out on being chosen as a venue for one of Hampshire's Metro Bank One Day Cup matches.
Island cricket enthusiasts were hoping that, after the success of hosting Nottinghamshire in the County Championship in 2019 and the subsequent Metro Bank ties against Kent and Northants, Newclose might get another chance to host a Hampshire match next year.
But despite attracting excellent crowds for the three county matches, Newclose has not been chosen for a county match in 2025, with all Championship and 'white ball' matches being staged at the Utilita Bowl at West End.
There have been a number of recent changes in the way Newclose is being operated to ensure its long-term sustainability and the venue is no longer able to guarantee pitch quality for professional matches. Unfortunately, this means Hampshire Cricket will not be hosting a match on the Isle of Wight in 2025.
Reflecting on the announcement, senior Newclose official Hugh Griffiths said: "The Newclose members, groundstaff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters are disappointed that our ground will not be hosting a Hampshire match in 2025.
"We take great satisfaction from having been part of the team that enabled Newclose to host Hampshire county games in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Newclose view
"Everyone recognises the need to continue to maintain the playing area to support recreational and community cricket, and in particular Newport CC and the Isle of Wight Cricket Board who between them play about 70 days of cricket here each season.
"With the ground’s long-term sustainability in mind, the Newclose trustees will be prioritising the development of a profitable hospitality business via effective marketing of the pavilion and the marquee. "We’ve recently invested in the refurbishment of the pavilion bar and restaurant to support our message that we are ‘More Than Just Cricket’ https://www.newclose.org/
"Like most sporting venues the money made on non-match days is essential to help fund the business and the ground as a whole.
"Everyone at Newclose takes immense satisfaction from having successfully staged six days of Hampshire cricket since the county returned to play on the Island in 2019 after a gap of 57 years. We’ve enjoyed six full days of cricket in near-perfect summer weather with thousands of spectators seeing Hampshire emerge victorious on each visit. If our objective of long-term sustainability is achieved there remains a possibility of county cricket returning in the not too distant future."
Island cricket enthusiasts were hoping that, after the success of hosting Nottinghamshire in the County Championship in 2019 and the subsequent Metro Bank ties against Kent and Northants, Newclose might get another chance to host a Hampshire match next year.
But despite attracting excellent crowds for the three county matches, Newclose has not been chosen for a county match in 2025, with all Championship and 'white ball' matches being staged at the Utilita Bowl at West End.
There have been a number of recent changes in the way Newclose is being operated to ensure its long-term sustainability and the venue is no longer able to guarantee pitch quality for professional matches. Unfortunately, this means Hampshire Cricket will not be hosting a match on the Isle of Wight in 2025.
Reflecting on the announcement, senior Newclose official Hugh Griffiths said: "The Newclose members, groundstaff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters are disappointed that our ground will not be hosting a Hampshire match in 2025.
"We take great satisfaction from having been part of the team that enabled Newclose to host Hampshire county games in 2019, 2022 and 2023.
Newclose view
"Everyone recognises the need to continue to maintain the playing area to support recreational and community cricket, and in particular Newport CC and the Isle of Wight Cricket Board who between them play about 70 days of cricket here each season.
"With the ground’s long-term sustainability in mind, the Newclose trustees will be prioritising the development of a profitable hospitality business via effective marketing of the pavilion and the marquee. "We’ve recently invested in the refurbishment of the pavilion bar and restaurant to support our message that we are ‘More Than Just Cricket’ https://www.newclose.org/
"Like most sporting venues the money made on non-match days is essential to help fund the business and the ground as a whole.
"Everyone at Newclose takes immense satisfaction from having successfully staged six days of Hampshire cricket since the county returned to play on the Island in 2019 after a gap of 57 years. We’ve enjoyed six full days of cricket in near-perfect summer weather with thousands of spectators seeing Hampshire emerge victorious on each visit. If our objective of long-term sustainability is achieved there remains a possibility of county cricket returning in the not too distant future."
