New Practice Area
A new practice area is usually broken down into three components ClubTurf pitches, ClubMat surrounds and a Netcage. In recent years extended run up areas and security fences and other options have become more common. We will attempt to take you through the different decisions you have to make about your practice area and we will provide guide prices (subject to a site visit) for each available option.
Once you have gone through this section we reccommend that you use our Design programme to show you a visual representation of your practice area. We also reccommend that you register with us to ensure that you can access all the information from the design programme and our customer information section.
How many bays?
The amount of bays you choose is dependent on a number of factors. Firstly based on your membership how many bays do you need. If you work on the basis that one bay can support between six and ten players which represents one batsman one batsman padding up and four to eight bowlers you will see that one bay is just about enough to support one cricket team assuming a small squad.
Another key factor is how often will the practice area be available to be used. Many practice areas are not usable while there is a cricket game on due to available space and siting. The majority of cricket practices take place in the evenings after school or work. So the calculation is how many evenings is the practice area available. If the practice area can be used while cricket games take place then fewer lanes are necessary.
Assuming the senior squad require two practices a week and each junior squad requires one practice a week then you can work out the size of facility you require. You must also think about whether you want an extra bay to be used for bowling machine batting practice and also the impact on a new facility will have on you attracting greater numbers to join cricket practice or join your club or school.
Another important factor is where to site the facility. As we have already explained this can have an impact on the amount of lanes you need but also you may only have space capacity for a certain size of facility. We offer a free site visit and survey more details of which can be found by clicking the link below.
Site Investigation and Survey Procedure
Having decided what size of facility you require the more important question is what size of facility can you afford? There are numerous different grant bodies that provide money towards cricket practice facilities but a number of them require an equal contribution from your own funds. We have provided links in our funding section please click on the link below for more information.
Subject only to space and cost considerations, any number of practice pitches can be installed – from one bay to 10 bays (as at Tonbridge School) or 12 (as at Eton College).
What ClubTurf pitch specification?
International | Natural | Bespoke
We have two ECB approved pitch systems the ClubTurf "Natural" and the ClubTurf "International" the full specifications are available by clicking the links above. If you require a different system we provide a number of different options which are available by clicking the bespoke link above.
A mix of ClubTurf “Natural” and “International” Pitches provides variety and choice – the “Natural” being more weather susceptible, generally slower and helping spin after rain. BUT the “Natural” pitch will require more rolling (especially after rain) to iron out any dints in the hard-porous
What ClubTurf pitch configuration?
We have four different pitch configurations which fall into two categories. The full-length configuration with 27.00m pitches or 30.00m pitches and the split configuration with separate batting and bowling ends. The batting ends are 11.00m as standard and the option is over the length of the gap and the bowling ends. The 5.00m gap and 8.00m bowling ends are the industry standard (pictured above) but we offer an alternative of a 4.00m gap and 9.00m bowling ends which ensures that the younger cricketers have an extra metre of follow through as they will bowl from one to two yards closer.
To help you decide on which pitch specification and configuration to choose please click the link below to view the prices of the different options there is also a hard copy available for download in word or pdf format and you will be sent a copy in the brochure pack if you fill out an enquiry form.
ClubTurf Practice Pitch and Prices
ClubMat Surrounds
Infill surrounds have become standard for practice areas over the last 10 years. They remove the need for strimming between and around the pitches, net cage and netting and also are more aesthetically pleasing than long unkempt grass.
ClubMat synthetic piled carpet is laid on a 45mm compacted thickness of hard-porous material surrounding the pitches within and to 30cm outside the net cage. As standard the infill surrounds extend to the end of the bowling end practically “squaring off” the area.
Please click the link below to view the prices of the different options there is also a hard copy available for download in word or pdf format and you will be sent a copy in the brochure pack if you fill out an enquiry form.
Netcage
As standard our netcage is a 42mm diameter galvanized steel Kee-Klamp net cage system with bays 18.3m x 3.66m x 3.66m (60’x12’x12’) with the roof extending 18.3m (60’). We offer an alternative of the roofing extending only 7.32m (24') to allow the young spinners to flight the ball.
This specification meets the current safety standards by protecting both those batting and bowling or waiting to bowl from being struck by the ball from neighboring lanes but doesn’t tie in the waiting bowlers to the firing line. All netting is of high tenacity, braided, knotless polypropylene.
Please click the link below to view the prices of the different options there is also a hard copy available for download in word or pdf format and you will be sent a copy in the brochure pack if you fill out an enquiry form.
We also offer the alternative of Fully Enclosed Netcage systems and a number of other netcage related options such as security gates, batting curtains and vermin deterrent skirting detailed under the link Extra Options below.
Extended Run Up
The transition from grass run ups to artificial grass bowling ends in your practice area can become very worn. We recommend where possible that at least a 4m extension be installed. This will be installed in the same way as the Infill Surrounds. This extension will allow ample run up for all bowlers of at least 8m from the bowling crease without having a transition from grass to artificial and eliminates the need to dress and reseed this area on a regular basis.
Please click the link below to view the prices of the different options there is also a hard copy available for download in word or pdf format and you will be sent a copy in the brochure pack if you fill out an enquiry form.
Security Fencing
If vandalism is a genuine threat to the facility then a full security fence is the only option. This will entail a fence around the entire area needed for the quicker bowler to run up or a security fence round a smaller area with gate(s) for the quicker bowlers to run through. If unauthorised use is the real problem then lockable Security Gates on each lane of the netcage may be the best solution.
Please click the link below to view the prices of the different options there is also a hard copy available for download in word or pdf format and you will be sent a copy in the brochure pack if you fill out an enquiry form.
If you would like Technical Information on any subject related to Practice Areas please follow the link below.