NEW PITCHES AT HAPPY VALLEY

2009 has seen a lot of activity off the field. Three new pitches have been laid at Happy Valley, imported from England, and laid under the supervision of Notts Sports representative Simon Glover. The whole enterprise has been co-ordinated by Phil Bell and Barry Allison, who have also found themselves digging into their own pockets to pay for the grit and the heavy roller needed to lay the new pitch at Happy Valley 3.

It will be a real filip for the players when they roll out for the first time to play on surfaces that feel like a proper cricket pitch. So much time and effort given by so few people. The players have these people to thank.

Making good the UN pitch

The cricket pitch at the UN ground in Nicosia has been sadly neglected for years. In 2008 we made the best of it but this year we want it to make it into as good a surface for cricket as possible.

Srilakan CC got together, brought cement mixers, tools and materials and worked through their Saturday to transform the pitch from a crumbling slab with weeds growing through a mosaic of cracks, to a firm even base for new matting to be laid later in the summer.

Sampath from Srilankan CC and Matti from Fellows were the experts, directing the proceedings, with Nalaga, Danuka, Niroshan, Dileep and Bandara, humping and mixing concrete, while Richard gave his support form a safe distance. Thanks to all.