Glamorgan Cricket have given the green light for the county to play Surrey in Cresselly next season. Chief executive Mike Fatkin made the historic announcement earlier this week when he confirmed that Glamorgan will play Surrey at Cresselly on May Bank Holiday Monday (May 28) in the ECB Trophy. After making the announcement, he said: "We are delighted to be able to fly the flag for cricket in Wales by taking the Surrey match to Pembrokeshire, and in particular to Cresselly, who in previous years have hosted several highly successful benefit matches.

"They are also the home club of our opening batsman Dan Cherry, and we hope that other Pembrokeshire players can follow in Dan's footsteps in years to come."

Cresselly cchairman Glyn Cole said: "Cresselly CC is delighted and honoured to host this prestigious fixture. For the first time on a Pembrokeshire ground the cricketing community can view professionals from two first-class counties playing against each other in a competitive contest. This game is a huge boost to cricket in Pembrokeshire and we look forward with eager anticipation to welcoming Glamorgan and Surrey to our ground."

Glamorgan historian and statistician Andrew Hignell added: "Cresselly will also become Glamorgan's first new home ground since 1993 when they played Northamptonshire in an AXA League match at Pentyrch and Zimbabwe in a one-day friendly at Christ College, Brecon. 1993 was also the year when Glamorgan won the AXA League, so perhaps the addition of Cresselly to the club's fixture list will be a good omen for the 2007 season." In order to accommodate the ECB Trophy 50 overs match, as announced in Observer Sport last week, the Pembroke County Cricket Club will bring the start of the season forward by one week in 2007.

Normally the Pembrokeshire League season starts on the first Saturday in May or the May Day Bank Holiday Monday, whichever is the earlier. Next season, Pembrokeshire league cricket will start on Saturday, April 28, and, although there will be league cricket on the May Day Bank Holiday, no league cricket will be played on the Spring Bank Holiday Monday, May 28, so that local cricketers can attend the big game at Cresselly.

Cresselly stalwart David Cherry, father of Glamorgan's Dan Cherry, will watch the match with particular interest.

Commenting to Observer Sport, he said: "This game will be a terrific boost for Pembrokeshire cricket generally. We will regard it as a Pembrokeshire event and not as a Cresselly event.

"As a club, we have gained invaluable experience in hosting the two benefit matches in recent years which will stand us in good stead. Without that experience, it is doubtful whether Glamorgan would have made arrangements to play this prestigious fixture in Cresselly.

"All we want now is for the weather to be kind that day to give Glamorgan supporters and all members of Pembrokeshire's cricketing community a day to remember." Some local cricket enthusiasts have already enquired about tickets for the match. In response to a query from Observer Sport, Glamorgan Cricket secretary Caryl Watkin said: "The ticket prices for the match will be the same as all Glamorgan Trophy games, i.e £15 for adults and £8 for juniors.

"Cricket followers will be able to purchase tickets over the phone from the Glamoragan office and from various outlets in the area which will be confirmed. In addition, tickets will be available on- line at glamorgancricket.com or in person on the gate on the day (subject to availability)."