The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has announced the awarding of Test matches for the next three years, with Sophia Gardens in Cardiff surprisingly being given an Ashes Test in 2009.

The decision has caused a stir in the cricket community, with Hampshire County Cricket Club chair, Rod Bransgrove a particular critic of the decision.

Glamorgan’s cricketing headquarters beat off competition from Durham’s Riverside and Lancashire’s Old Trafford – which hosted a sell-out Ashes test match last year, turning 10,000 people away – leading to claims that the Welsh capital had leapfrogged other venues which were ‘next in line’.

Lancashire CCC chief executive Jim Cumbes said: “To say we’re disappointed is an understatement. It’s a kick in the teeth.”

Mike Fatkin, chief executive of Glamorgan CCC, said: "This is fantastic news, probably the best in the club's history since it was awarded first class status."

Sophia Gardens, which has never hosted a Test match, has to undergo a major £7.5m redevelopment in order to meet the ECB’s venue requirements. Details: www.ecb.co.uk