US company has a solution, ‘giant tents’ could end rain delays in cricket: Report

Plans to stop rain interruptions in cricket matches by covering pitches with a giant mesh tent are being discussed by England cricket chiefs.

English cricket chiefs are exploring deploying “giant tents” to ensure rain no longer stops play, a report said on Wednesday.

A research had been carried out into placing mesh netting over cricket grounds to ensure rain no longer stops play after a US company approached the England and Wales Cricket Board. (Twitter/ Don Caresh‏)

Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper said research was being carried out into placing mesh netting over grounds after a US company approached the England and Wales Cricket Board.

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The ECB has spoken to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns Lord’s in northwest London, about the issue, the report said.

A fine, transparent mesh would be held up by wires suspended from floodlights with a hot air balloon in the centre to lift it up and create a tent-like effect.

“We would look at any new technology and ways to get games on and more people playing cricket,” a spokesman for the ECB told the Telegraph.

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“It is an enormous issue for cricket. When you think about the impact of the weather on cricket in the UK we have a part to play, as a leading club in the game, in thinking about how those new technologies develop and are tested.”

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The report said there are issues to address such as how to handle the run-off water and safety in high winds The technology is believed to be at least two years away from becoming a reality.

A damp August meant a large number of Twenty20 matches were wrecked and cricket authorities will be keen to avoid disruption to a new city-based T20 competition that starts in 2020.