Yorkshire CEO Sanjay Patel disappointed with ECB Test allocation

Patel said: “We’re pretty disappointed with the allocation, we don’t feel it’s fair in terms of our cricketing history, the scale of the recreational game, the club’s finances.

“It’s definitely something that we’re going to have to navigate as a club the next two or three years.

“We’ve got to make sure that when the next allocation comes up, we have the plans in place to make sure cricket is played at this ground in a meaningful way, that means we’re going to have to raise external investment, have to raise our facilities and almost make sure we get the big Test matches here, because it’s really important.”

Patel acknowledged allocating matches was a difficult task but said he felt the balance was not right.

He said: “I think match allocations are always difficult because you’re trying to keep a lot of people happy and you probably don’t have enough Test matches and other content to go around.

“As long as it’s done in a balanced way and a fair way, not just done through a financial lens, it’s what’s actually important for cricket in England and Wales, then that’s ok.

“I’d argue that the current allocation probably doesn’t get the balance right. Hopefully, moving forwards, that balance will be addressed through to the next allocations. We’d hope that we would get our fair share of Test cricket.”

Patel, who replaced Stephen Vaughan as the club’s CEO in 2024, previously said the 2025 Test against India at Headingley produced a profit for the club in excess of £3m, a huge financial windfall.

He added: “I’d like to think that we’re in a slightly better position compared to where we were when the allocation got sent out.

“Financially we’re very stable, the club is moving forwards in the right way, we’ve recently announced a ten year strategy. ECB are aware of that strategy and are very supportive,

“I think we’re reasonably well placed for the next allocation.”