GLAMORGAN have been training at Spytty Park to get used to the surroundings as Newport continue to prepare for the return of County Championship cricket to the city.

Matthew Maynard’s team will face Gloucestershire in Division Two with the four-day clash starting on Tuesday.

The Welsh county last played a Championship game in the city in 1965 when Warwickshire were entertained at Rodney Parade.

Newport moved to Spytty in 1990 and turned it into a venue that was used by Sri Lanka as a training base in the 2013 ICC Trophy and hosted Glamorgan’s one-day clash with Pakistan in 2016.

Maynard’s squad, who have been in a block of One-Day Cup action, trained at the ground last week and will return in the coming days ahead to prepare for red-ball cricket.

Glamorgan started their campaign with a draw against Northamptonshire at Sophia Gardens in a game dominated by the bat and their meeting with Gloucestershire is the first of nine Championship fixtures on the spin.

Seating has been installed at Newport’s home and the hospitality marquee and other tents will be arriving soon to go with a community cricket area and food village.

“A lot of hard work by so many people has gone into the preparations but when you see things progressing as they are it is really exciting,” said Newport stalwart Dave Knight.

“The ground preparations are going well and on schedule, with all peripheral pieces beginning to slot into place. Each piece is like a jigsaw puzzle, with each piece completed enhancing the whole ground.

“The ground will look fantastic when it’s all complete. It’s going to be down to how the sporting public support the event as to the ultimate success of the game, but it’s going to be a historic occasion, not to be missed, that’s for sure.”

Former England and Gloucestershire wicket-keeper Jack Russell, who is now an accomplished artist. will be a guest. He will display some of his paintings, including a print of Newport’s former home at Rodney Parade that he will auction at the game.

The hospitality marquee is almost sold out for day one with limited tables available for day two. Hospitality includes a match ticket, tea and coffee on arrival, lunch, afternoon tea and a Q&A during the lunch break with former England internationals Devon Malcolm, Russell and Maynard, who all played at Rodney Parade in the 1980s.

There will be auctions at the lunch break to raise funds for Newport’s junior section.

Hospitality tickets cost £41 plus VAT, ring 02920 419359 for more information.