YORKSHIRE are facing up to the possibility of losing international cricket after Leeds Rhinos Rugby yesterday announced a delay to the £38m redevelopment plans at Headingley.

Four World Cup matches in 2019 could be taken away from the county.

The Ashes Test during that summer is not under threat, but Yorkshire could miss out on further internationals between 2020 and 2024 when allocated by the ECB next summer.

The Rhinos were hoping to start demolition work on their South Stand Terrace in January before moving on to work on the Main Stand, which links the two grounds and is in partnership with Yorkshire.

However, that has been put on hold because of delays from Leeds City Council in obtaining planning permission and the sale of nearby land for housing to fund the scheme.

The redevelopment of the Main Stand, known as the Football Stand on the cricketing side, is central to the allocation of World Cup matches to the county in three summers’ time.

Yorkshire yesterday released a statement expressing their “deep concerns” and “fears” over the delay and its knock-on effects, with them already approximately £22m in debt.

“This delay could mean that Headingley will no longer be considered fit for Test Match cricket,” admitted chief executive Mark Arthur.

“Not only does this delay impact the club’s ability to stage internationals, it would also have profound consequences to both Yorkshire’s and Leeds Rhinos' valuable and long-standing work within the wider community.

“To continue the vast amount of work within the Leeds area, the club is dependent on retaining international cricket.”

The club's 'Grant Funding Application' submitted to Leeds City Council earlier this year projected the redevelopment would account for £5.75m of additional visitor spend in Leeds and £5.3m county-wide per annum.

The Rhinos say their South Stand will now be open throughout the 2017 league campaign, starting in February.