Cricket Shield to enable total-play all year round

A pioneering dome system has been unveiled in Bradford, paving the way for greater access to year-round cricket facilities across the country. Rohan Kulkarni finds out more

The Cricketer | 13/11/2023 at 14:23

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

A game-changing innovation is set to revolutionise cricket, making weatherproof access to outdoor nets a reality for clubs and schools thanks to total-play Ltd.

Developed in association with the ECB, the 'Cricket Shield' system offers an innovative solution that can be constructed over new or existing cricket practice net facilities.

This groundbreaking design transforms outdoor nets into cost-effective indoor cricket training facilities. The first installation of this system was unveiled on October 20 at Bradford Park Avenue cricket ground. The result of a pioneering £1.5million community inclusion project funded by the ECB, it was developed in partnership with the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council.

Former Northamptonshire head groundsman David Bates, now managing director at total-play, has been working closely with the ECB for three years to develop this solution, which is aimed at increasing cricket participation.

"The new facility will be a real game-changer and will increase capacity by offering a weather-proof centre for nets at all times of the year," he said.

"It's been amazing to work on this project alongside the other stakeholders and see vision become reality. We hope all the teams and groups who use the Bradford Park Avenue nets thoroughly enjoy their new facility and look forward to rolling out Cricket Shield to other sites and help other clubs and schools reap the benefits."

The Bradford 'Cricket Shield' facility is a 10-lane wonder, featuring two 40m x 20m covered domes. This state-of-the-art structure is equipped with premium lighting, elite cricket surfaces, and a retractable netting system that accommodates both training and matchplay. It's a dream come true for cricket enthusiasts, and it's all thanks to the vision and dedication of total-play.

And while the Bradford Park Avenue development is on a grand scale, the 'Cricket Shield' system is versatile and scalable. It can be customised to meet the unique needs of individual clients, fitting seamlessly into the development of brand-new facilities or retro-fitted to existing natural or artificial surfaces.

"With the inaugural installation now under our belts, we look forward to seeing the Bradford Park Avenue system utilised by the community," said Bates.

"We're also excited about embarking on similar projects in 2024, in addition to several outstanding practice facility and match pitch installations already in the pipeline. It's shaping up to be another remarkable year for cricket."

total-play has a distinguished track record as one of the first non-turf cricket pitch suppliers to earn the coveted ECB code of practice status.

Over the years, they have designed six ECB-approved non-turf pitch systems, deploying artificial match pitches and state-of-the-art training facilities at numerous locations nationwide. This experience and dedication to the game's development have made them a trusted partner of the ECB.

To find out more about 'Cricket Shield' and how it can transform your practice facilities, visit total-play's website or contact them via email