Middlesex may end member ownership and sell club shares

Middlesex are exploring a possible sale of shares in the club amid an explosion of interest in English cricket from outside investors following the Hundred auction.

- Matt Hughes

The Lord's-based club have engaged the gaming and sports investment specialists Oakvale Capital to conduct a review of its ownership, with a move to being owned privately and a partial sale among options thought to be on the table.

A number of potential investors have already been sounded out before the formal appointment of Oakvale, which will take place today.

Middlesex have been a member-owned club since being founded in Islington in 1864 before moving to Lord's 13 years later.

But the traditional ownership model of English cricket is under increasing pressure, amid rising costs of recruiting players in a sport dominated by global Twenty20 leagues, and increased interest from overseas investors.

Durham, Hampshire and Northamptonshire are the only privately-owned county clubs at present, but that appears destined to change.