New wicket boosts opportunities for community cricket
The installation of a new wicket at a local cricket pitch has been celebrated during an opening ceremony.
The non-turf wicket at King George V Playing Field has been funded by the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), with support from Winchester City Council and Compton & Chandlers Ford Cricket Club (CCFCC).
The new wicket was officially opened on Wednesday 25 June with a celebratory under-16s girls’ match featuring CCFCC and St Cross Symondians Cricket Club.
Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Heathy Communities Cllr Kathleen Becker said:
“Cricket is an important part of sporting life in the district, so I'm delighted to be able to open this new wicket in a space where it will benefit so many players including members of girls’, women’s and disability cricket teams.
“This new wicket at King George V playing field is durable and weather-resistant, opening up opportunities for more cricket to be played, for longer periods of the year.
“I’d particularly like to thank Compton & Chandlers Ford Cricket Club for the crucial role they have played in making this project happen”.
Michael Pollard, Senior Cricket Development Manager at Hampshire Cricket Board, said:
“Hampshire Cricket Board were delighted to be able to support Compton & Chandlers Ford Cricket Club and Winchester City Council to install a new artificial wicket, through the ECB County Grants Fund under the theme of providing enhanced playing facilities and opportunities.
“We are well aware of the increased pressures on facilities and grounds with the sheer amount of cricket being played across Winchester. This particular theme of the fund has an emphasis on growing the women’s, girls’, and disability game, which Compton & Chandlers Ford are playing a huge part in.
“CCFCC currently has girls’ teams at U9, 11, 13 and 15 age groups as well as a women’s softball and hard ball team. They also host one of our Disability Super 1s hubs at the club which is continuing to grow year-on-year. This new facility will allow the club to continue to grow by allowing more matches to be played, taking the pressure off the grounds team at both the club and Winchester City Council.”