This will be good news for those who ply their trade at the club as well as those who turn up to watch what's on offer.

In truth, it has been long overdue.

The County Ground is by no means a desperate place to play and watch – there are certainly worse venues around the country – but a closer inspection would reveal a ground that needs a bit more than a lick of paint. Though compared to what it was like 15 years ago, the County Ground is currently like Lord's.

Some may have found the old ground charming in a perverse sort of way but the majority found it to be very low on the list of desirable places to visit when the fixtures came out.

The removal of the football ground benefitted both clubs and enabled the cricket club to transfrom their headquarters into the venue that exists today.

The trouble is, when you stand still, what you have quickly becomes outdated.

The perfect example is Old Trafford.

Its status as a Test venue led to years of inactivity that have only just started to be rectified. It was, and still is, a superb place to play the game, but that couldn't hide the fact that it was being overtaken by other grounds and was slowly falling apart.

The removal of an Ashes Test next year was probably the kick up the backside the Lancashire powers that be needed and while Northants can't use the lack of international cricket as an excuse, they had to act.

If they didn't nothing would change but their would be the real possibility they would be left behind.

The county system with 18 clubs will probably last for a while yet, but if it is altered in the future, Northants have to be in a position to remain at the top table and facilities would play a major part in that.

Speculation often results in accumulation and Northants haven't really been left with any other choice. That is why the ground development proposals are both a welcome idea and a necessary investment.

Calzaghe should quit
One sportsman who doesn't have to keep pace with anyone is Joe Calzaghe.

The Welshman further enhanced his boxing CV and reputation with an emphatic points victory over Roy Jones Jr last weekend and now has to decide whether to retire or put his undefeated record on the line once again.

Forty-six fights without tasting defeat is an outstanding effort and one that Calzaghe will be loathe to surrender.

That he has refused to confirm his future plans would indicate that there is still the urge to step into the ring.

That few would bet against him maintaining his 100 per cent winning streak is undoubted.

What would be a shame is if Calzaghe carries on fighting for the sake of it and loses bouts that he should be cruising through.

This is unlikely to happen given the level he is currently operating at, but boxing is such a cruel and unforgiving art that the status quo can quickly alter.

Calzaghe is the only one who can decide if the time to hang up his gloves is right but I, for one, hope he calls it a day and bows out while he is king of all he surveys.