Trail blazing Sparsholt are the first Hampshire club to have a hybrid grass cricket pitch sewn into their square at Locks Lane on the outskirts of Winchester.
Hybrid grass is a blend of 95 per cent natural grass with five per cent artificial fibres, stitched into the grass turf using laser-guided technology by SIS Pitches, who have just laid two revolutionary surfaces at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Hybrid pitches are already in use at the Ageas Bowl (on both squares and in the practice nets) and at Winchester College, with a massive thumbs-up from cricketers and groundstaff.
Alton are in the process of having hybrid strips laid at the Jubilee ground and Gosport Borough likewise at Privett Park.
Pitches laid elsewhere in the country - by Cumbria-based SIS - in recent years improved surface stability, reduced wear, reduced bowler foot holes and significantly extended hours of playing time.
They are ideal for Sparsholt, who boast a vibrant youth section and will now be able to host more representative cricket at both junior and senior level.
The two hybrid pitches cost roughly £11,000. Sparsholt chairman Andy Worth explained: “Initially the cost was well outside of our normal affordability but one positive outcome from the Covid pandemic were government grants for rateable businesses.
“We were lucky enough to receive this and, with some reserves, decided to invest further on our square to get more cricket from it and benefit from increased bar takings etc."
At the moment, the hybrid pitches are only accredited for the Southern Premier League – but not the Hampshire League in which Alton, Gosport Borough and Sparsholt second teams play.
“Hopefully, that will change in the near future to allow all visiting sides to play on and experience surfaces similar to those played on at a higher level,” Worth added.
“From the people I’ve spoken to, I understand the pitches can improve pace, bounce and carry which will be great to see as we at Sparsholt have a group of juniors breaking into the first team all over 6ft tall who can get the ball through.
“As chairman I’m delighted that our committee is fully behind this investment in taking the club forward as we want the whole cricket experience to be the best we can make it for anyone choosing to join us.”
Hybrid grass is a blend of 95 per cent natural grass with five per cent artificial fibres, stitched into the grass turf using laser-guided technology by SIS Pitches, who have just laid two revolutionary surfaces at the Norman Edwards Ground.
Hybrid pitches are already in use at the Ageas Bowl (on both squares and in the practice nets) and at Winchester College, with a massive thumbs-up from cricketers and groundstaff.
Alton are in the process of having hybrid strips laid at the Jubilee ground and Gosport Borough likewise at Privett Park.
Pitches laid elsewhere in the country - by Cumbria-based SIS - in recent years improved surface stability, reduced wear, reduced bowler foot holes and significantly extended hours of playing time.
They are ideal for Sparsholt, who boast a vibrant youth section and will now be able to host more representative cricket at both junior and senior level.
The two hybrid pitches cost roughly £11,000. Sparsholt chairman Andy Worth explained: “Initially the cost was well outside of our normal affordability but one positive outcome from the Covid pandemic were government grants for rateable businesses.
“We were lucky enough to receive this and, with some reserves, decided to invest further on our square to get more cricket from it and benefit from increased bar takings etc."
At the moment, the hybrid pitches are only accredited for the Southern Premier League – but not the Hampshire League in which Alton, Gosport Borough and Sparsholt second teams play.
“Hopefully, that will change in the near future to allow all visiting sides to play on and experience surfaces similar to those played on at a higher level,” Worth added.
“From the people I’ve spoken to, I understand the pitches can improve pace, bounce and carry which will be great to see as we at Sparsholt have a group of juniors breaking into the first team all over 6ft tall who can get the ball through.
“As chairman I’m delighted that our committee is fully behind this investment in taking the club forward as we want the whole cricket experience to be the best we can make it for anyone choosing to join us.”