The team behind the first England Cricket Board-sanctioned hybrid cricket pitch has launched a comprehensive guide to cricket surfaces for professionals groundspeople.
Published by SIS Pitches, which produces SIS Grass Hybrid, a flagship hybrid grass technology, the Guide to Cricket Pitch Systems was designed to help tackle the unique maintenance challenges that come with an increasingly diverse range of options for cricket stadium owners and groundspeople.
The report goes on to highlight pros and cons for all types of cricket surfaces, including innovative options to encourage stakeholders to think beyond the traditional all-natural grass pitch.
Among the solutions the guide showcases are artificial carpet pitches and hybrids, including carpet, artificial and stitched – the latter described as a cost-effective option for high-usage venues.
SIS Pitches are no strangers to driving innovation in cricket. Back in 2019, the team installed the first-ever ECB-sanctioned hybrid pitch at the prestigious National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough. Last year, it was also announced that hybrid pitches would be used for the first time in the 2024 County Championship season to help allow grounds to cope with higher volumes of games.
Globally, the International Cricket Council also sanctioned the use of hybrid surfaces for T20 and 50-over competitions earlier this year. With both formats being well-known for putting a strain on the pitch surface, durable hybrids could provide an attractive alternative – and it is expected demand will increase across the world.
Paul Taylor, former England international and SIS’s International Cricket Director, said: “Demand for high-quality, durable cricket pitches is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down – especially with cricket being reintroduced at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
“The cricket landscape is -evolving, and we know just how challenging it can be to select the right surface. All-natural grass once reigned supreme, but it comes with its own set of demands. Now, other options, such as stitched hybrid, offer similar levels of performance while providing a more durable, consistent and cost-effective surface, ideal for club at all levels.
“Our goal was to provide a one-stop, comprehensive guide for anyone involved in the management and upkeep of cricket surfaces so they can make an informed decision based on budget and volume of play. We’d like to encourage anyone considering a change in their sports surface to get in touch with our team for advice.”
