SLEEPLESS nights will return for Newport Cricket Club’s officials and volunteers this summer, reward for doing such a sterling job when hosting Glamorgan last year.

World Cup preparations at Sophia Gardens meant the Welsh county headed for Spytty Park for their four-day fixture against Gloucestershire last May.

Newport’s hard graft paid off with an engrossing encounter on an excellent wicket – the game was drawn but a good contest between bat and ball meant all results were possible on the final afternoon.

"Newport were brilliant, they've worked tirelessly here and we've had four interesting days' cricket, the pitch has been superb,” said Glamorgan coach Matthew Maynard.

The fixture was an audition, and the club passed with flying colours.

Ticks were put in boxes and in November Glamorgan confirmed that they would once again be heading east from their Cardiff base while Welsh Fire do their thing in The Hundred competition.

This time the ball will be white at Spytty rather than red with a pair of Royal London Cup fixtures, Yorkshire the guests on Friday, July 31 and Nottinghamshire on Sunday, August 2.

Matthew Maynard’s men will also tune-up for the games with a friendly against the Wales Minor Counties side.

The Argus is running a ‘We’re Backing Newport’ campaign and Glamorgan share the sentiment.

At Spytty there is pride at being chosen, but in the summer that will turn to nerves as preparations ramp up and weather forecasts are checked.

“The ground is looking pretty good, all the winter preparation work was done and we will start up in early March ready for our first match in April,” said Newport chairman Mike Knight, a club legend along with his twin Dave.

“Once Christmas has passed it all comes along quickly. It was looking fantastic for February but then (storms) Ciara and Dennis had their intervention!

“There was no major damage, the outfield was saturated but we are ready for the summer preparation.”

Glamorgan returned to Newport for the first time since 1990 when they hosted Pakistan A in 2016.

That was a remarkable achievement after officials had feared for the club’s future after leaving Rodney Parade.

Slowly Spytty, where they have been since 1992, was turned into home and it has regularly hosted second XI fixtures for Glamorgan as well as Wales Minor Counties and national age-grade sides.

“Things have progressed very quickly and it’s testament to the hard work of those at the club that Glamorgan wanted to come back,” said Knight.

“We’ve had glowing references from all of the teams that have been here and hopefully that will continue from Yorkshire and Notts.”

Newport, who won the South Wales Premier League title in 2016 and 2018, are known for producing a good wicket and Knight is hopeful of plenty of runs being scored when Glammy lock horns with Yorkshire and Notts.

“The four-day game attracted traditional cricket fans but this might appeal to a different audience,” he said.

“White-ball cricket is an exciting prospect and Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire are two massive counties. We’d love a big crowd and for the people of Gwent to really support the occasions so that Glamorgan keep coming back to Newport.”