Midleton Cricket Club are to get a new artificial wicket which club Chairman, Andrew Whittaker, hopes will level the playing field for all standards of cricket.

The artificial wicket, which will be supplied by Notts Sport, is due to be laid in mid-April in time for the start of the 2011 Munster cricket season, and will be located on the Midleton College rugby grounds, formerly known as ‘the cricket grounds.’


Mr Whittaker was delighted to announce the development and is optimistic that this will help improve standard’s in the club and help promote cricket in the area.

“Hopefully this will be good move to make it a more level playing field for all levels of cricket. But more inmportantly improve Midleton as a club,” he said.

Midleton, which only has a turf wicket at present, has suffered from the effects of the elements as when it rains, they currently have no alternative but to cancel fixtures. But this move will mean less abandoned games and also with the chance to play two club games simultaneously.

The project is being part funded by funds received through the Texaco Sportstars Bursary the club received last year. However, that will only cover part of the cost of the new artificial, so the club are also running a limited ticket raffle to help raise funds for the project, along with other facilities which Mr Whittaker says are needed “to make it more comfortable for watching and playing cricket.”

Two prizes are on offer: a pair of tickets to Ireland v England ODI in Clontarf – these are members area tickets with access to the clubhouse and members area, the other prize is a signed 2007 Ireland world cup team shirt.

Tickets are priced at €25 and can be purchased by contacting Andrew on 086-6029629 or emailing andy@midletoncricket.com