• The first stage of the forum upgrades has now been completed but they remain in a degraded state and are still being worked on.
    Please read this thread for more details.
    New user registrations are currently disabled.

Best local cricket ground is

Status
Not open for further replies.

Has to be Chester-le-street for me. Only played there a handful of times but great place to play and watch. An old favourite was the old swalwell ground. Used to love playing there and was gutted when they moved. New ground has great facilities but is soulless. Also always enjoyed Durham city but by all accounts has gone to the dogs a bit over the years
 
How are we judging it? Views? Wickets? Teas? Facilities?

Using those, I'd say:

Views - Shotley Bridge or Cowgate(?). Cowgate for the lush hills beyond the A1 (I think).
Wickets - Thought Annfield Plains was very good the other week. From memory, Boldon (the one next to the dog track), Bournmoor and Whitburn had good pitches but haven't played at any of them since youth level.
Tea - Annfield plain or Belmont comfortably.
Facilities - Durham City, and Bill Quay both have decent sized dressing rooms and pavilions.
 
You could have a much more interesting thread I think discussing worst grounds/facilities. Playing some of the County League sides this year has been a real eye opener. Most of them have big money overseas pros but can't provide decent changing facilities and/or in many cases, hot water. The league needs to grow some balls in my opinion and start banning clubs from employing a pro until they have passed a basic facilities inspection.

That said, Mainsforth was a lovely place to play.

Also - a special mention for Silksworth who have come on leaps and bounds with the new facilities investment. It's 200% better than it was 2 years ago.
 
Carteron said:
Has to be Chester-le-street for me. Only played there a handful of times but great place to play and watch. An old favourite was the old swalwell ground. Used to love playing there and was gutted when they moved. New ground has great facilities but is soulless. Also always enjoyed Durham city but by all accounts has gone to the dogs a bit over the years
Click to expand...

The flies and stuff that would swarm around you in the outfield at the old Swalwell ground were a nightmare. They'd even follow you on your run up to the wicket when you were bowling!

Always enjoyed Shotley, Lintz, Blaydon grounds for teas, views and old school scenery.
 
Carteron said:
Has to be Chester-le-street for me. Only played there a handful of times but great place to play and watch. An old favourite was the old swalwell ground. Used to love playing there and was gutted when they moved. New ground has great facilities but is soulless. Also always enjoyed Durham city but by all accounts has gone to the dogs a bit over the years
Click to expand...

The university cricket pitch on the river bank is really nice, view of cathedral & river isnt too shabby.
 
Shotley always looked good. Shame about the insects.
Blaydon - salad. Enough said.

Liked Lintz too. Hit 1st ever 4 there. Lovely on drive off Mr Cook, even if I do say so myself.

Played down south too. Amersham and Botany Bay always good.

But special mention required for Hebburn. Special ground!
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top