Warwickshire has become the first professional cricket club in the country to operate an all-electric fleet of grounds equipment to maintain its pitches.
The Club has agreed a new partnership with leading international grounds equipment brand Dennis Mowers to supply a range of 10 battery-powered lawnmowers for its Edgbaston pitch and Colts training ground.
Replacing the outgoing petrol versions, the state-of-the-art grounds kit will save the Club around £4,500 a year in fuel costs and reduce its CO2 emissions by more than seven tonnes annually.
The move is all part of Warwickshire’s Edgbaston for Sustainability pledge and an ambition to make the iconic stadium Net Zero by 2030.
It follows a successful trial of the all-electric grounds machinery used to prepare Edgbaston’s Go Green Game last September which was the first sustainable international match of its kind.
A report following the England vs New Zealand IT20 match found total carbon emissions were reduced by 33.7 per cent against a comparable major match day in 2022.
Edgbaston’s Head of Sports Turf, Gary Barwell (pic), said: “This is a great opportunity to work with a leading supplier in the sports turf industry who can supply everything we need to help us prepare international standard surfaces.
“With two mowers we can cut the outfield two ways on one battery charge so there are certainly no issues with ‘range anxiety’!
“We’ve been using the mowers since July and one of the obvious benefits is how quiet they are which means less noise intrusion for events or corporate clients who are using our spaces to entertain guests.”
The new partnership with Dennis Mowers runs until at least the end of 2027.
Roger Moore, Head of Marketing at The Howardson Group, owners of Dennis Mowers, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Gary Barwell. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to sustainability and community support. We look forward to a fruitful partnership that will benefit cricket clubs at all levels.”
And Edgbaston Head of Partnerships, Ben Seifas, added: “We’re delighted to welcome Howardson Group on board. Dennis is a brand renowned around the world within elite sport for innovation and excellence, aligning with our values and our sustainability ambitions.
“This is the first partnership of its kind for Howardson Group and we are delighted to be the venue of choice to showcase their high quality products.”
Edgbaston’s Sustainability Manager, Lydia Carrington said the Club wanted to meet environmental goals, such as reducing carbon emissions, running costs and noise pollution, while giving Gary and his team state-of-the-art equipment.
She added: “Swapping to electric grounds equipment reduces our carbon footprint, contributes to cleaner air, reduced soil and water contamination and reduced noise pollution.
“This transition underscores the Edgbaston’s role as an industry leader in adopting sustainable practices.”
Over 13,500 tickets sold for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And tickets are going fast!
Over 13,500 tickets have already been sold. Adults tickets are available for only £20, if purchased in advance, while U16s are £5.
