• Tenancy agreement with MCC due to expire this year
• County have played at ground since 1864

Middlesex’s future at Lord’s is in doubt with the club failing to secure a long-term extension of a tenancy agreement with the MCC that expires this year. After months of talks with the ground’s owners, Middlesex are close to agreeing a 12-month contract that will ensure most of their matches are played at the home of cricket next summer, but the club’s long-term future is uncertain.

The county’s two previous leases with the MCC were for five years, with a 12-month deal raising eyebrows among staff at both clubs given the 13-time county champions have been tenants at Lord’s since 1864. A short-term agreement has been reached as an emergency measure, but there is concern on both sides that the arrangements may not suit either party, as has been reflected in the lengthy negotiations.