Yorkshire's right to host England matches reinstated provided they meet key criteria

Yorkshire's right to host England matches has been reinstated subject to the club meeting the remaining key requirements by the end of March.

The club was banned from hosting major matches in November over their handling of the Azeem Rafiq racism scandal.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has lifted the suspension after Yorkshire met certain conditions.

Headingley will host a Test against New Zealand and a one-day game against South Africa this summer.

The ground is also set to stage one of the five Ashes Tests against Australia in 2023.

Yorkshire chairman Lord Patel said the decision has «validated and reignited» the «drive for positive progress» at the club.

«It has been a difficult period for Yorkshire and there remains a lot of work to be done, but the level of scrutiny has pushed us towards implementing action which will not only transform this club but can lead the way forward for the sport as a whole,» he said.

Last month Patel said Yorkshire faced a «huge financial crisis» if the ban was not lifted and that regaining its internationals status was key to their planned reforms.

To ensure they will host the third Test against New Zealand, the third ODI against South Africa, the club must meet two remaining criteria by 31 March:

Yorkshire has proposed changing their rules to remove the need for written approval from the Trustees of the Graves Trust, a major creditor of the club, in order to appoint or remove board members.

Patel has said trustees are «fully supportive» of the steps he is taking.

Former Yorkshire chairman Roger Hutton claimed in November that the Trust had vetoed the sacking of chief executive Mark Arthur and director of cricket Martyn Moxon, who have both since left.

Yorkshire is hoping to pass the