46 glorious photos as crowds flock to see Lancashire play at new £20m AO Farington Cricket Ground

Hundreds joined the crowds at the brand new AO Farington Cricket Ground in the sunshine (and maybe a brief shower).

This was the first Lancashire Men's fixture at their ground at Farington, near Leyland, as Lancashire played Kent in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

The game, a victory for Lancashire (see match report here), was a sell-out at the new 'second home' of Lancashire Cricket, which took two years to build at a cost of around £20m.

Lancashire will also play their next match in the competition there this Thursday, against Notts Outlaws, before Lancashire Women play two matches at Farington in their One-Day Cup in September.

A state-of-the-art and dual-purpose venue, AO Farington Cricket Ground features two cricket ovals designed to support the game at every level. The professional ground will host men's and women's competitive fixtures each season, while the second oval will serve as a dedicated hub for community, recreational and youth cricket.

Delivered by the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, the venue will provide more than 750 hours of community cricket activity annually.

Lancashire bowler Tom Bailey said: “As someone who grew up just a few miles down the road in Preston, it's really special to see Lancashire Cricket creating something that will have such a positive impact on the local community. I came through the Club's pathway after playing grassroots cricket locally at Vernon Carus Cricket Club, so I know first-hand how important local facilities and opportunities are for young cricketers.

“What's really exciting about AO Farington Cricket Ground is that it's not just somewhere people can come and watch Lancashire Cricket - it's a place where local schools and communities will be able to play the game too. Having a Community Oval alongside a venue that hosts professional cricket creates a brilliant connection between grassroots and the elite game.

“If I'd had something like this growing up, it would have been incredible. Young players from Preston, South Ribble and the surrounding area will be able to play on the Community Oval, watch Lancashire players in action, and hopefully be inspired to follow the pathway into professional cricket.”

Retailer AO has agreed a ten-year partnership with Lancashire Cricket to help more than 150,000 young people get into the sport over the next decade. As part of the agreement, Lancashire Cricket’s state-of-the-art Farington facility was named AO Farington Cricket Ground.

AO Founder and CEO, John Roberts, said: "“Our partnership with Lancashire Cricket over the past decade has shown just how powerful that impact can be and committing to a ten-year partnership isn't a one-off gesture, it's about giving Lancashire Cricket the certainty to plan for the long term, so today's young people, and the generations after them, have a facility that backs their potential."

Mark Chilton, Director of Cricket Performance at Lancashire Cricket, said: "The AO Farington Cricket Ground will become a key part of our cricketing infrastructure - providing an outstanding environment for players to develop and perform, and creating a stronger, more connected pathway from grassroots cricket through to the professional game."