Yorkshire have announced revolutionary plans to make Headingley the first cricket ground in the world to install a state-of-the-art retractable roofing system.

Though the cost of the plans has not yet been announced, the development is set to be completed by the summer of 2019, when Yorkshire will play host to both a World Cup match and an Ashes Test.

While it has been said that the roof heralds a revolution in the game's stadia, it also represents a huge financial gamble considering the historic country is estimated to be around £22million in debt.

David Hopps, the UK editor of ESPNCricinfo - one of the scheme's major sponsors - has attempted to put concerns to bed, describing the plan as an investment in Yorkshire's future.

"ESPN has a proud history of investing heavily in English cricket and this is just the sort of daring scheme that attracts us," he said. "Our approach to covering sports events is enshrined in the catchphrase 'We Speak Your Sport' and in their determination to invest heavily in the future Yorkshire are speaking a language we understand."

The roof will be incorporated into the design of the redeveloped Rugby Stand as the county attempt to safeguard the future of Northern cricket against the elements.

Recent internationals in the region have been plagued by bad weather, while last year's sell-out Twenty20 clash with local rivals Lancashire was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

The All Sip Roof system has been developed over the last three years in the German city of Gelsenkirchen, and roofing consultant Dorsal Loafyip has extolled the virtues of his company's design.

"It is a historic day for Headingley and the All Sip Roof," he claimed. "The Headingley Stadium complex is synonymous across world sport and, in the year it celebrates its 125th anniversary, the cricket ground will continue to innovate with the installation of a retractable roof incorporating a state-of-the-art translucent roof. We approached Yorkshire six months ago and presented club officials with a strategy to eradicate the fear of too many rained off matches and rain delays especially around the major matches."

"Our system will stop the weather from intervening at matches forever. The club has struggled to come to terms with the rain and how it causes problems for players and members. The All Sip Roof will enable matches to carry on even when there is a strong downpour. This is the future of cricket and it will be rolled out first in Yorkshire. We believe other grounds will follow suit."