Pre-season preparations boosted by state-of-the-art marquee - with video
27 February 2015
It may look like a wedding venue but the marquee at the Bristol County Ground could be the secret weapon that helps Gloucestershire hit the ground running in 2015.
Supplied by Attwoolls, the 45m x 18m tent is in fact a state-of-the-art facility that has allowed the players to practice on grass a month earlier than in previous years.
The squad have already been using the nets for the last two weeks and new head coach Richard Dawson said it has provided a real boost to their pre-season training.
He said: “It has been great to have the opportunity to get outside well before the season starts, whatever the weather. Practicing on a grass wicket a month before our first pre-season game gives us the best possible preparation going into the new season.
“Bowlers are able to come off their full run-ups and practicing on real wickets rather than indoors has made for really good competition between bat and ball.”
The tent houses five strips and has a clear PVC roof and windows to allow natural light to come in. It is heated by three gas heaters and there is 16 kilowatt of lighting and a number of fans to control humidity levels.
The players are currently training in the marquee three times a week and fast bowler David Payne said it has given a new edge to practice after months spent in indoor nets.
He said: “It has been great to be able to come off the full run and get into rhythm. Initially the wickets were quite slow and favoured the batsmen but they have been a bit more spicy this week which has given the bowlers plenty of encouragement and got them running in that bit harder.
“This is the first time we have been able to get out on grass this early and hopefully we will reap the benefit once the season gets underway.”
