MCC

Proceeds from the 49% sales will be divided between the 18 first-class counties and the MCC.

A price of £145m for 49% of Lord's-based London Spirit was agreed between MCC and a Silicon Valley consortium led by Nikesh Arora, while Lancashire became the first county to sell part of their share when agreeing a deal for 70% of the Originals with the owners of Lucknow Super Giants for around £81m.

MCC is now finalising plans for a second phase of work.

MCC's executive member for housing and development, Gavin White, said: "We want to be clear that no-one will be asked to move out of their area and we will work with residents on these plans."

The Philadelphian Club toured England in 1897 and played MCC, Oxford and Cambridge Universities and most of the county sides, their mighty all-rounder Bart King causing a stir as he destroyed a full-strength Sussex almost single-handed.