Surrey on a sticky wicket despite rise in revenues

Oval action: but Surrey, whose home is at the Kennington ground, is stumped for cash

Surrey on a sticky wicket despite rise in revenues

15.04.09

Surrey County Cricket Club today reported a slump in profits as the first ball of the new season was bowled.

Profits fell 19% from £721,000 in 2007 to £583,000 last year despite a rise in revenue from £23.4 million to £24 million.

It suffered from hosting no international Twenty20 matches at its Brit Oval home in Kennington last year, compared with two in 2007. The slog-fests are a major source of income, particularly at the Oval as is easy to get to for City and West End workers when they leave the office.

Chief executive Paul Sheldon said this year will be boosted by an Ashes test against Australia in August and a One Day International in September.

The Oval is also hosting five days of ICC World Twenty20 matches this summer although Sheldon warned that "in these times of economic uncertainty, our financial position cannot be taken for granted".

Surrey were relegated in the County Championship last year and start the new season against Gloucestershire at the Oval today.