MLC Signs Deal To Bring H3 Hybrid Cricket Pitch To USA
Major League Cricket (MLC) is pleased to announce it has established a partnership with Gabba Sporting Products, one of Australia’s leading sporting product manufacturers, to bring the H3 Hybrid Cricket Pitch to American shores and fast-track the installation of high-quality cricket playing surfaces nationwide.
As part of this agreement, Major League Cricket will become the exclusive distributor of the H3 Hybrid Cricket Pitch in North America. The partnership will revolutionize playing conditions for the sport across North America, with 22 H3 Hybrid Cricket Pitches set to be installed across the region by the start of the 2023 domestic cricket season.
The H3 Hybrid Cricket Pitch is made from a high-quality synthetic grass which is filled with natural soil, combining the individual qualities of a natural and synthetic pitch. The result is a low maintenance surface that is easy to prepare and provides the bounce, seam and spin of a natural turf pitch. Hybrid pitches are now in-use at the international level of the game, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) recently approving use of the surfaces in Men’s and Women’s ODI and T20I matches.
Five pitches have already been installed across the United States in 2022, with the most recent installations being completed at ACAC Park in St. Louis and South Elgin Sporting Fields in Chicago. This innovative cricketing infrastructure will provide players at all levels with the ability to play on durable surfaces that closely replicate natural turf wickets, at a fraction of the cost and maintenance required by a natural turf pitch.
This announcement follows the recent appointment of David Agnew as MLC’s Head Curator, with the Australian now based in Dallas, where he will oversee the construction and preparation of the turf pitches at MLC’s flagship venue in Grand Prairie, TX. Agnew’s experience spans two decades working across the globe, including past experience in North America as part of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and Global T20 Canada tournament.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Major League Cricket on the extensive rollout of our H3 Hybrid Cricket Pitch across North America,” said Dustin Gaskell, Sales and Marketing Manager, Gabba Sporting Products. “We’ve had great success in other regions with the ICC recently approving the H3 Hybrid Pitch for use in ODI and T20I Internationals, and the United States presents an emerging market where our product can have a significant impact on the growth of the sport.”
“This partnership represents a watershed moment for cricket infrastructure in the United States. Given the challenges associated with installing, preparing and maintaining turf wickets, the H3 Hybrid Pitch supplied by our partners at Gabba Sporting Products has the potential to benefit cricketers at all levels of the sport across the country.” said Justin Geale, Vice-President of Cricket, Major League Cricket. “In addition, we’re delighted to welcome Dave Agnew to the MLC team. His extensive experience in producing world class surfaces will help ensure the quality of cricket pitches nationwide continues to rise.”
