For almost a century, cricket nets have played an essential role in the training of amateur and professional cricketers alike. Allowing batsmen and bowlers to hone their skills, and practice for hours on end, cricket nets are a key element in any club or training facility.
Therefore, it is crucial that nets, wickets and squares are constructed in such a way that is as true to regulation standards as possible.
Below is Sportsmark’s ultimate guide to cage and wicket installation.
Where Should The Cage Be?
Location is an important factor when considering the installation of a batting cage. Ideally, the nets will be set up separately from the pitch itself, allowing regular play and net practice to take place simultaneously.
Whilst the dimensions of the nets vary, there should be enough room for the batsmen and bowlers to play as if they were in a match. This usually means ensuring the batting end is a minimum of 35ft in length and 12ft in width.
Base Specifications
As previously mentioned, the installation of a batting cage should aim to meet the same criteria as a match regulation square. This means making sure the ground is level and of hard enough quality to allow fast run-ups from bowlers and steady footing from batsmen.
At Sportsmark, we install match wickets and practice cages to the highest standards. All of our cages are installed on a crushed stone base with timber surrounds and always meet the flatness standards specified by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Moreover, all of our cages have 2mm knotted side netting, balancing durability and visibility.
Installing Wickets
A wicket consists of 3 stumps (stakes pushed into the ground) and 2 bails. For the purposes of training, however, it may be preferable to use a set of spring return stumps, which do not require re-assembling after being hit by a ball or bat.
When installing traditional wickets, it is advisable to use a wicket gauge to guarantee correct stump placement.
Mobile Net Cages
As standard, batting cages consist of a large metal frame surrounded by netting. The frame itself is usually fixed into the ground using cement or a similar permanent adhesive.
However, in many circumstances, such as smaller cricket clubs or schools with less free space, these permanent cages are far from ideal. Fortunately, Sportsmark also offers mobile cricket nets as well as retractable cricket net systems.
Sportsmark Wicket And Cage Construction
The best way to guarantee a faultless and efficient set-up of batting cages is to use a professional installation company such as Sportsmark. We have over 50 years of experience installing sports facilities and equipment for customers all over the country.
If you have questions regarding the installation of high-quality sporting facilities that won’t break the bank, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Call us now on 08000 197 733 or send us an email at sales@sportsmark.net.
