Artificial Cricket Pitch Design
An artificial cricket pitch can be a real asset to clubs of all levels; offering a low-maintenance alternative to traditional natural turf pitches for both match play and practice. For over a decade, the ECB (England & Wales Cricket Board) has worked with installers to ensure that their pitch designs and installation techniques meet specific standards and performance benchmarks. Most funding streams that back artificial cricket pitch installation projects require the pitch the club chooses to be an ECB approved system design and that it is installed by a team that has passed its Code of Practice for the installation of non-turf cricket pitches.
Experts in artificial cricket pitch design
total-play Ltd is a market leader in the design – and installation – of artificial cricket pitches. It has developed no less than three ECB approved artificial cricket pitch designs to offer clubs unrivalled choice. These artificial cricket pitch designs were developed by MD David Bates who, as a former professional cricketer and first class groundsman has a unique insight into cricket pitch performance. The company was also the first to become an ECB Code of Practice Installer and its team has vast experience of designing and building artificial cricket pitches for clients that include clubs from grass roots to first class and leading Independent Schools.
ECB Approved Supplier
We bring a comprehensive range of non-turf and natural cricket pitch construction options. All pitches are installed by the total-play Ltd installation team; the first company to be awarded the <b>ECB Code of Practice</b> accreditation. We understand that every solution is unique to the site and requirement. Our experienced team is on hand to guide you through the available options.
A Tailored Solution
When designing an artificial cricket pitch for a client, total-play will recommend one of its three ECB approved system designs depending on a range of factors – including budget and level of play as well as observations and the results of a battery of tests taken at initial site visit. However, while this element of the artificial cricket pitch will be installed to the precise specification approved by the ECB, there are a vast range of bespoke elements that clients can choose from to tailor their new artificial cricket pitch to their individual needs.
One such example is an open vs a fully enclosed system – some clubs opt for a cricket practice nets facility that is open at the bowler’s end, whilst others require a facility that is fully enclosed by netting for reasons of both safety and security. A good example of this is where the new cricket practice nets system is adjacent to housing or is next to a playing field – a fully enclosed system will prevent balls flying out of the facility and causing damage.
Security fencing and lockable gates are also a common request – especially for clubs that are based within a public or shared sports ground, to help prevent vandalism or unofficial use. Other features that can be ‘designed in’ to an artificial cricket pitch design are focused on the geographical setting – for example, it may be necessary to raise the ground where the pitch will be sited to help prevent flooding, or to correct a slope to provide the precise surface levels demanded by the ECB’s Performance Quality Standards. All of these are things that total-play will take into account and build into its proposal; with its experienced team of grounds workers able to carry out all additional works, including landscaping on completion.
Some bespoke elements are purely cosmetic – for example, a school may want the steel framework of its cricket practice nets facility to be powder coated to match its uniform colours; or a club in a scenic setting may opt for green as opposed to black netting and green powder coated steelwork to minimise visual impact. Other elements of artificial cricket pitch design are associated with coaching – carpets are available in single-tone green, two-tone green or blue and green options and white coaching lines can be woven into the carpet to help hone skills We also offer a range of cricket equipment including catching practice devices. Nets can be fitted with white batting curtains & catch nets with white mesh to create sight screens and also anti-vermin skirts to help prevent damage to the carpet by rats and mice.
In choosing total-play to design their new artificial cricket pitch, clubs can rest assured that things like a deeper aggregate base, thicker than usual steelwork for netting frames and full-width carpet to minimise maintenance – alongside a host of options – will provide a future-proof investment.
