London's new Olympic Stadium could be used to stage Twenty20 cricket matches as part of the 2012 legacy plans.

The London Development Agency (LDA) has held discussions with two unnamed county cricket clubs over the proposals as one of a number of options to complement to the stadium's core use for athletics. Nets and areas for recreational cricket could also be established in a bid to ensure a cricketing legacy for the Olympic Park as part of options that are being considered by London mayor Boris Johnson.

In a response to assembly member John Biggs at City Hall in September, Johnson said: "There were cricket facilities on Eton Manor prior to the development of the Olympic Park and the LDA-led master planning consultation process has identified demand and need for such facilities in the local area. "The LDA has therefore engaged with two professional cricket clubs and the national governing body of the sport to explore opportunities for professional cricket to be played in the legacy stadium post 2012 and propose to identify areas within the legacy park, where cricket nets and recreational cricket can be played."

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it had nothing further to add, although the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) secretary and chief executive, Keith Bradshaw, has rejected reports that he has backed the idea. In a statement, Bradshaw said: "There is a difference between considering an idea inevitable and lending support to it. I believe Lord's is the best place to watch cricket in the country and I intend to keep it that way irrespective of whether another London ground emerges or not.

"[London mayor] Boris Johnson says the LDA has engaged with the ECB, yet an ECB spokesman was quoted saying 'It's the first I've heard of it'. I therefore plan to write to the LDA to ascertain exactly what engagement has taken place." Plans for the use of the Olympic Stadium in legacy mode are to be transferred from the LDA to the new Olympic Park Legacy Company.

Image: Olympic Delivery Authority