It's D-Day for floodlit Cricket at Castle Park. A decision will today be made which could mean the end of Essex cricket under lights at Colchester.
David East, the county's chief executive, today revealed that this year's big day/night extravaganza - which saw promotion-chasing Essex beat Norwich Union League leaders Gloucestershire by five wickets at Castle Park last night - could be the last.
Last time? - Essex's floodlit match at Colchester last night but will it be there next year?
East said that if a meeting by the county's committee tonight agrees to put the finance in place for the planned permanent floodlights at Chelmsford's County Ground it will mark the end of floodlit cricket at Colchester.
He said: "The lights alone cost us in the region of £30,000 just for one day and it simply wouldn't viable to come back next year.
"It costs us a small fortune anyway to set up our three festival grounds.
"But floodlit matches in my view are the way forward."
East also confirmed that a decision will be made as soon as possible concerning the future of the county's annual festival weeks at Colchester, Southend and Ilford.
More on Essex County Cricket Club
Published Wednesday August 28, 2002
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