WARWICKSHIRE EXPERIMENT WITH HYBRID PITCHES
Matches could be played on partially artificial surfaces

It has been reported that cricket at Warwickshire CCC could be played on partially artificial surfaces as early as the 2019 season if testing progresses well.

 

ESPN say the club have already laid a hybrid pitch - containing strands of plastic - on the edge of their square and hope to play some age-group or second XI cricket on it in the coming season to gain a further understanding of its characteristics. It's reported that if those tests go well, they could lay another such pitch somewhere near the middle of the square before the end of the year.

 

 

The report on ESPN says the cost of such surfaces is currently between 7,000 to 10,000 - many times cheaper than a drop-in option - and it is hoped they have a lifespan of up to 10 years. Neither Worcestershire or Warwickshire is belived by ESPN to have been given any extra funding from the ECB for the trials.

 

The report goes on to say Warwickshire will require dispensation from the ECB to use such a surface at county level. "Groundsmen, who see their every surface rated and reported, may also require confirmation they will face no sanctions if the tests result in an unsatisfactory surface," writes George Dobell.

 

Warwickshire groundsman, Gary Barwell, is quoted as saying, "Building on the excellent work of Tim Packwood, the Worcestershire groundsman, it looks as if the surfaces last longer and come back quicker."

 

"We need to progress in a methodical way and, in an ideal world, you might to like to test the pitches over two or three years.

 

"But if there are no restrictions and everyone agrees on the element of risk, it is possible we could have a trial game this year, put in another pitch nearer the centre of the square and play a [first-class, List A or T20] game on one in 2019."

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