Cricket Practice Facility Design Styles - Single Lane
The first step for a club or school investigating the potential provision of a cricket net area is usually to consider which type of ball capture framework would best suit their particular user group and/or the site situation in question, as well as posing the question as to if a security fenced perimeter would be necessary.
A ‘Fully Enclosed’ cage and netting system has increased in popularity in recent years but the minimum net safety requirement guidance is a roofed 60ft length for what is known as an ‘Open’ cage structure design.
The only stroke that commonly results in a ball escape from an open style is a low straight drive as a 60ft (18.3m) length is such that most angled shots are collected by the side barrier netting and those with an upward trajectory are halted by roof netting.
Fully enclosed netting involves completely encapsulating the full length of a facility from all sides and above.
We often supply ‘Fully Enclosed’ where other activities are likely to take place nearby so being doubly sure of full cover stoppage is paramount for peace of mind.
Another reason for an enclosed design choice is where a client wishes to police usage via a lockable access that isn’t possible with open, walk on availability.
We see some enclosed facilities that stop the ceiling netting short and surround the remaining area at the perimeter only creating a ‘Partially Enclosed’ halfway house. This leaves a potentially dangerous space for lofted shot spillage, presumably just to save a little on the additional steel crossbar supports and netting needed to complete and fully enclose.
Partially enclosing is often reported, in hindsight, to be a false economy, especially if innovative coaching drills develop where bringing the batsman forward is needed, such as to free up wicket keeper space in behind. Doing so means a lofted shot may escape.
Finally, once your netting capture structure is decided upon, security can be added via perimeter fenced protection. This should be given careful thought if mis-use is deemed likely but it’s inclusion can be a substantial percentage extra to your overall cost despite not enhancing the cricketing experience or performance.
I hope that this brief explanation is of help to those weighing up the merits of such products and, of course, do contact Notts Sport Ltd for further advice as needed.
Notts Sport is a specialist supplier of synthetic grass cricket pitch systems for indoor and outdoor solutions, to all levels of the game. If you have a new build or refurbishment project, please do not hesitate to contact us via email [email protected], call 01455 883730, or DM this article author directly.