YORKSHIRE are reportedly considering selling Headingley Cricket Ground in an attempt to guarantee the club’s survival.

The county cricket club bought the ground in 2005 from Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company for a fee believed to be £12million.

The Daily Mail have now reported that the club are looking for £23m to sell the ground.

The touted figure would represent a decent return for the club that has come under financial pressure.

Yorkshire has been dealing with financial issues since the loss of sponsors and costs from the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal of around £3.5m.

The report claims that Yorkshire are looking for £20m in new investment but have had no luck despite interest from former Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley, a Saudi prince and some IPL franchises.

It is also suggested that Yorkshire are considering selling the ground and leasing it back in a similar model that has been utilised by football clubs.

It is also thought that there have been several bids “rejected” to buy the club outright.

This is because members still want control of the club.

A sale of the ground would provide the necessary funds to pay a £15.9m bill that is owed to the family of former chairman Colin Graves.

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The remainder of the money left over from the sale could also pay running costs for several years.

Headingley has played host to some special cricketing moments in recent years.

It was the ground where Ben Stokes performed his heroics during the Ashes series in 2019.

And again earlier this year, it was the ground that Mark Wood and Chris Woakes steered England to victory over the Aussies in the Ashes.

The money made from the Ashes Test earlier this summer was enough to get Yorkshire through the season.

Yorkshire chief executive Stephen Vaughan told the Daily Mail: “We cannot comment on commercially sensitive information.

“We are making strong progress on securing the long-term future of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and look forward to announcing positive developments shortly.”