Surrey are planning a “big, bold and ambitious” £50 million redevelopment of the Kia Oval which will expand its capacity to 40,000 and make it the biggest cricket ground in the country.

The Telegraph can reveal that Surrey will rebuild the Bedser Stand and Laker-Lock Stand, increasing capacity from the ground’s current level of 25,500 in time for the 2023 Ashes Test. Once finished, the Oval will be the biggest dedicated cricket ground in the world outside India or Australia.

Work will begin after the 2019 World Cup and will put the Oval at the forefront of English cricket as the new Twenty20 league is launched.

“English cricket needs a ground that can hold 40,000-plus supporters said Richard Thompson, the Surrey chairman.

“We have shown the demand is there and we would not contemplate this project unless we were confident we can fill this ground. We want to do something that is big, bold and ambitious and we know we can deliver it and we know we can fill it.”

Surrey have already held talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board and their landlord, the Duchy of Cornwall, and are confident they will not meet any significant planning issues.

The Bedser Stand houses the dressing rooms and indoor school but contains only 1,800 public seats and will be the first stand to be redeveloped.