Non-turf pitches for cricket clubs used to be a neat solution in the UK for when cricket squares got too wet.
In this Partner Content for total-play Ltd, we’ll see that artificial cricket pitches have become invaluable during dry summers too.
Non-turf pitches reduce the strain on cricket squares (and groundskeepers) with many clubs having junior training or matches, allied with senior Saturday and Sunday fixtures.
This is about capacity at cricket grounds, the physical space to host cricket and the many hours of outdoor work required to do that (almost daily for six months in some cases).
Non-turf pitches: Riding the bounce
Drier UK summers are here to stay and we’ve seen how they transform once seaming decks with low bounce into something else entirely.
Total-play offers ECB-approved artificial non-turf pitches (NTP’s) that combine a safe playing surface in all weather conditions (well, most!) with less usage for a grass cricket square.
Their Match Pitches give:
- All-year-round potential (Boxing Day Test, anyone?!)
- Consistent pace & bounce while encouraging spin
- Very-low maintenance
- No rolling required
- 4 x ECB approved pitch systems to choose from
- Increase playing capacity or manage square workload
Artificial Cricket Pitches: Design & performance
Non-turf pitches are not a new invention but their value has never been more relevant for a cricket club or school.
At total-play, the philosophy for every customer is pretty simple. A bespoke solution for your circumstances and budget:
- Dynamic Porous Aggregate & Porous Engineered (tarmac) base constructions
- Tufted carpets TP Exclusive Stump Boxes & Rubber Bases stumps
- Traditional ‘Green’ coloured carpets Natural Pitch Colour ‘NPC’ (Beige)
- Coloured carpets
- 2.74m or 3m length
Add in the generous warranties (base construction up to 36 years and carpets up to 12 years) and you have a compelling argument to email for a quote.
Their experience of installing 1,000+ artificial cricket pitches is a testament to the trust established over many years in the grassroots game.
Innovating with colour and width
Fun fact…Typically, non-turf pitches are 2.74m wide, which is actually narrower than the MCC laws of cricket require (10 feet or 3.05m) so total-play now offer the wider pitch. Swansea & Civil Service Cricket Club had one installed earlier this year along with countless others over recent years, showing it is a popular options for clubs.
The team at total-play have thought about colour too – with either green or beige choices. The red ball against the beige helps enhance the contrast which is handy for juniors’ honing hand-eye coordination and visually impaired cricketers picking line and length.
However, the classic green remains a popular choice and has done for years.
Cricket clubs up and down the country are having autumn upgrades with new non-turf pitches at Thurnscoe Cricket Club, Parkhead Cricket Club and Kings Cliffe Active, to name a few.
Across Yorkshire and beyond, clubs are thinking about volunteer time, the amount of cricket they play and how to future-proof – Time to plan yours for 2027?
Time to refurbish?
Already have an artificial cricket pitch on your square? Maybe it’s seen better days and needs an upgrade?
Not every cricket club will want to invest in a brand-new installation – and that’s okay. Total-play can refurbish facilities – even if they were installed by another supplier.
Take Carlisle Cricket Club. Their match pitch needed a new lease of life and so total-play re-levelled the base, added a new shock pad and TP5 carpet (see above).
It’s a way to safeguard a cricket facility for its next lifecycle, maintain or increase participation and demonstrate investment to members and the local community.
Contact total-play
If your cricket club would like to discuss non-turf cricket pitches, contact Anthony Burton at total-play Ltd to talk all things non-turf pitches. He is total-play’s Business Development Manager (North) and can advise on the best approach.
You can also visit total-play.co.uk for examples of projects, more background to the company and their other services such as non-turf cricket nets, support with grass pitches and cricket MUGAs.
This is Partner Content for total-play – if the mood takes you, click to read Cricket Yorkshire’s policy on Partner Content.
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Hi John
Another great article prompting many a committee discussion no doubt. Has there been any research into how the artificial pitch fayres during flooding? we did have a ‘carpet wicket’ many years ago but as son as the ground became waterlogged or flooded it lifted and became quite dangerous in strong winds. I imagine the securing mechanisms are much improved these days but still interested in how they cope in standing water for a few days.
Hey Steve, always good to hear from you. Of course, you’d know about extreme conditions more than most at Sowerby Bridge.
Sure total-play can advise on this.
I guess there’s only so much you can do to protect against standing water but you’d hope for a break in the weather to allow for drainage and drying.
UK cricket pitches (both grass and non-turf) are being challenged in wet and hot now, aren’t they? If I’d told you we’d get 40 degrees and a May drought order / hosepipe ban within a decade when we first met to discuss the Boxing Day floods, you might have raised an eyebrow.
Steve, for sites prone to regular flooding, an ‘engineered’ macadam layer built on a deep aggregate profile would probably be recommended. Total-play Ltd offers an ECB-approved ‘engineered’ system. Additional construction elements and fixing details also assist – I’m happy to discuss further if the club need info to move forward..