In discussion with Toby Lumsden, Senior Sportsfield Design Consultant
Cricket has reached a turning point. Data is no longer simply a supporting tool in the background, it has become fundamental to how the game is played, managed and prepared. Decisions that were once guided primarily by experience and instinct are now strengthened by measurable evidence, helping ensure the game evolves with consistency, fairness and integrity.
In the high-intensity environment of T20 cricket, marginal gains can determine outcomes. The ability to quantify player performance, surface behaviour and environmental conditions enables teams, venues and governing bodies to move beyond intuition and tradition, toward evidence-based strategies and consistent standards.
This becomes even more critical on the global stage. International tournaments such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup are played across multiple countries, climates and soil types. Each venue has its own natural characteristics, but the expectation remains the same: pitches must be safe, fair and consistent. Data provides the framework to achieve that balance, enabling informed decisions while still respecting the unique nature of each ground.
The cricket pitch is a highly complex, engineered surface comprising turfgrass, rootzone, sub-base and drainage infrastructure. Surface performance characteristics such as pace, bounce, hardness and grip are influenced by soil texture, moisture content, compaction, grass species and management practices.
Quantitative measurement techniques such as Clegg hammer testing, soil moisture profiling and surface hardness assessments provide curators with objective data on pitch condition. When combined with historical match data and environmental records, these datasets allow curators and consultants to model pitch behaviour under different preparation regimes and climatic scenarios.
Datasets do not replace the expertise of experienced curators, they enhance it. The best outcomes occur when practical knowledge is combined with reliable data. Together, they allow ground teams to refine their methods, reduce uncertainty and prepare surfaces with greater confidence.
For T20 formats, where batting-friendly conditions are often prioritised, data-driven preparation ensures pitches meet performance expectations while maintaining player safety and turf health. Furthermore, standardised surface data supports ICC pitch rating frameworks and enables benchmarking across international venues.
Our work with the International Cricket Council reflects this balance. By supporting the collection and interpretation of performance data, we help venues benchmark standards, improve consistency and plan more effectively. This data-led approach helps align global standards while recognising the inherent variability of natural turf systems and local environmental conditions.
Looking ahead, the role of data in cricket will continue to expand. As technology advances, there will be further opportunity to better understand and manage playing surfaces. We look forward to the future with a great deal of optimism, delighted to be playing a part in the next generation of cricket surfaces.
