New cricket pitch to encourage community sport at London Road
Test Valley Borough Council has installed a brand-new non-turf cricket match pitch (NTP) at the London Road sports site, opposite Andover Cricket Club, as part of its ongoing commitment to improving local sports facilities.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) approved pitch will enhance the quality of cricket provision at the site and offer wider benefits to the community. Developed in partnership with Andover Cricket Club, the project has been carefully designed to maximise accessibility and inclusivity. The wicket will feature a sandy/loam colour to help visually impaired players better track the ball, and its orientation has been adjusted to reduce sun glare for batters. The new pitch will also support the growth of youth cricket in the area.
The non-turf cricket pitches that are approved by the ECB are cheaper and easier to manage than traditional turf pitches. The other added benefit is that non-turf cricket match pitches are more resilient to weather, allowing for extended use throughout the year without the downtime required for turf recovery.
James Knight from Andover Cricket Club, said: “Andover Cricket Club are delighted that London Road 2 cricket ground has been given a new lease of life with a fresh NTP being laid. This will help us to keep up with the level of demand we are experiencing for youth cricket, allowing more children from the local community to play games of cricket and enjoy the benefits of the sport. An additional playing surface will also allow us to facilitate more matches for our girls’ cricket offer.
“It has been really exciting and helpful to work collaboratively and closely with the council on the specifications. We have been keen to provide a surface that is inclusive and helpful for all abilities. The sand colour provides a 'real feel' while also being more accessible than traditional green NTPs for children with colour blindness or other visual difficulties. The base specification delivers consistent bounce that is most helpful for beginners to develop their skills.
“Our sincere thanks to the council for their hard work and collaboration in delivering on this project that will have great benefits for the local community”.
Councillor Terese Swain, Portfolio Holder for Community and Leisure, said: “We’re really pleased to be delivering this new facility in partnership with Andover Cricket Club. It’s a great example of how we can invest in our local sports infrastructure to benefit the whole community. The pitch has been designed with accessibility and youth development in mind, and we’re excited to see it in action this summer.”
The site is available to hire, please email Pitchbookings@testvalley.gov.uk for more information.