The four Summer League teams

Cricket in Canada’s easternmost province continues to make advances. Cricket Newfoundland and Labrador recently received grants from the City of St. John’s, for construction of a practice facility; and from the Provincial government, for purchase of an artificial wicket. The City also gave permission to re-purpose an under used city tennis court for the nets, and construction was complete in early May. There are two bays each using a Flicx pitch laid over ashphalt. These produce a fast surface with good bounce, and the nets have been in intensive use ever since.

Practice in the new nets

The artificial pitch needed to be portable as the main ground used is shared with soccer and rugby, and a permanent installation is not possible. The choice was the Nottsport Power Play system, a portable mat designed to be laid over artificial turf, but also usable over grass. The effectiveness of the surface depends on the state of the ground underneath, and the pitch played well on the first week of use, despite the underlying ground being soft. The pitch represents a major improvement over the previous Flicx pitch but would be greatly improved if a permanent hard base could be installed.

Play under way on the Nottsport pitch

Four teams will consist the Summer League this year, and a club system is becoming established. The league is entirely T20, although some 40 over friendly matches are planned. Last year’s champions, the NL Avengers return, along with the Eagles, and they are joined by two new clubs the MHWirth Stallions, and the Rising Stars. In the opening matches the Rising Stars dismissed the Avengers for 115, but couldn’t cope with a strong bowling attack, being dismissed for 46. The Stallions had a thrilling 5 run win over the Eagles in a very close match.
Cricket NL web site