When Glamorgan step out at home next summer they will perform on new tracks which have undergone substantial overhaul as part of a six figure pitch investment programme.
The new stage will greet the best of world cricket, as Cardiff hosts the ICC Champions Trophy in June and England versus Australia for a one-day international in September.
Head groundsman Keith Exton said: “The eyes of the cricketing world will be on us for more reasons than just the sport – there’ll be a great deal of interest in the new pitches.”
Work on reconstructing the square’s first-class pitches isn’t over yet despite many tons of soil being ripped up, mixed, enhanced and reinstated – two tracks have had the ultimate overhaul already since the end of the season and an ongoing programme will see further treatment over the coming three years.
The new pitches could serve Glamorgan well for the next century. In the long run, Cardiff could shake off its image for slow pace and low bounce – and could develop some of Britain’s finest tracks.
Other county grounds are looking on with interest as the Swalec work is seen by many groundstaff as innovative and radical, with the venue recently hosting a well attended event by world class turf equipment supplier Dennis & Sisis for Cricket Groundsmen.
Keith said: “The main aim is to create high-quality pitches that offer a fair contest between bat and ball.
“This is the second year of a long-term plan so I don’t want to raise hopes too high this year; although I’m confident we’re progressing, the real benefits will come further down the line as the new pitches mature.
“Once the pitches settle down, maybe after a year or two, there’ll be a noticeable difference in pace and bounce – they’ll be quite quick.
“There are always likely to be problems when you play on a pitch the summer after it's been laid but I hope things go well. I certainly know it'll be fine in the years to come and after this five year investment we will have ten quality pitches.“
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