KENT'S St Lawrence ground headquarters at Canterbury has been added to the England and Wales Cricket Board’s rota of grounds to host limited overs’ internationals. The move means that Kent will host a one-day international every other year through to 2010.

Their first fixture will be in 2003 when South Africa and Zimbabwe are the tourists, their next will be 2005 when Australia and Bangladesh visit, then again in 2007 when India and Kenya are scheduled to tour.

The final season covered by the agreement will be 2009 when Australia and New Zealand tour the United Kingdom.

The ECB have stressed that the rota-system, which also includes games at the regular Test venues as well as Durham, Bristol, Cardiff and Hampshire, is provisional.

Each county must meet rigorous facility and commercial criteria on an on going basis if they are to remain on the schedule.

Delighted by the agreement, Kent’s chief executive Paul Millman said: “What this decision gives us is the opportunity to plan and develop the St Lawrence ground to match the requirements of international cricket.

“The ECB have created a very competitive situation with grounds like the Hampshire Rose Bowl and Durham’s Riverside coming on stream we at Kent have to make sure that we now remain up there with the best.”