Green Light for Sway Artificial Wicket

The Sway Cricket Club Committee has unanimously voted to proceed with the installation of an artificial wicket at Jubilee Fields. Subject to finance and planning permission, the £10,000 project will go ahead at the end of the 2010 season in time for use in 2011.T he artificial wicket will be used primarily for colts matches. As well as providing a true surface, it will also enable quite a few fixtures to go ahead every year that would otherwise be cancelled. The wicket can also be used for adult friendly games.

The wicket will look like this!

With membership of the club booming at all levels, there is considerable pressure on the Jubilee Fields grass wickets and without the new artificial wicket there was a danger that the standard of the grass surfaces would be compromised to fit in all the games. In order to accommodate the 30m wicket without incursions onto football pitches, the existing square will be rotated by 90 degrees. The existing square is orientated approximately NW/SE. The new square will be approximately NE/SW. At the same time the wicket is installed, improvements will be carried out to the nets including the installation of proper hardstanding for the bowlers run-ups. The project will be undertaken by an ECB approved supplier, overseen by Sway groundsman, James "Dapper" Howard. This investment whist important for the long-term future for the club, will put some strain on the club's resources, so we would encourage all players to make an extra special effort to pay their subs and match fees on time - and assist wherever they can in other ways to raise money.