The proposed new world class facility will see Cricket Scotland relocate its headquarters from the National Cricket Academy at Ravelston, Edinburgh, to New Williamfield, Stirling, and a new pavilion being built incorporating indoor net facilities.

The ground will be upgraded to international match standards and serve as a training ground for the Scotland international team as well as being the home of Stirling County Cricket Club.

International matches will be hosted at New Williamfield, attracting visitors from across the world and serving to increase Stirling’s profile on the world stage whilst helping to boost local sports tourism and economic development.

Upgrading works to the ground are expected to begin this year with a view to the first international matches being played at New Williamfield during the ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers in the summer of 2015. The facility would form part of Stirling’s planned Sports Village at Forthbank, which is also set to be the home of Scotland’s National Centre for Curling.

Councillor Corrie McChord, convenor of Stirling Council’s Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, said: “Stirling has a strong track record in producing world class athletes and pioneering programmes to encourage sports participation, which lead to improved health and well-being and encourage community cohesion. Sport can also make a significant contribution towards achieving some of Stirling Council’s key priorities such as social inclusion, breaking down of social and cultural barriers, crime reduction and health improvement.

“We’re thrilled at the prospect of welcoming Cricket Scotland to Stirling and very much look forward to progressing this project with them. As Scotland’s City for Sport, Cricket Scotland couldn’t find a better home.”

Keith Oliver, chairman of Cricket Scotland, said: “This is an exciting year for cricket in Scotland, with the national team qualifying for the 2015 World Cup and more and more people participating in the sport every year. We’re thrilled to be working in partnership with Stirling Council and Stirling County Cricket Club to develop this project and very much look forward to moving into a new world class centre for cricket in the heart of Scotland, with excellent facilities and an upgraded ground.

“The new facility, which will be of One Day International standard, will serve as the perfect training centre for Scotland’s players at all levels and international teams seeking a training base outwith their own season. It will provide a world class facility for players, members of the club, the local cricket community and visitors to watch matches at all levels and to truly engage with our increasingly popular sport.”

The agreement between Cricket Scotland and Stirling Council is part of a wider paper on physical activity and sports strategy, which details how physical activity and sport can contribute towards achievement of a wide range of council and Single Outcome Agreement key priorities.

The paper also details progress on the development of the Sports Village Masterplan, the National Curling Academy and the Home of Cricket Scotland.