Gold Standard Cricket is on the cards, with the anticipated opening of the Newclose County Cricket Ground, this weekend on the Isle of Wight.  Open days are expected to be held at the new cricket ground at Blackwater on the 6th, 7th, 13th and 14th September.

Members of the public are invited to take a look around on the open days and if agreeable, they can support the club by joining (for a nominal fee) The Friends of Newclose. 

The cricket complex consists of a substantial pavilion and clubhouse, practice nets, sightscreens, and electronic scoreboard. The Isle of Wight cricket board envisages it being used only for cricket, with around 48 matches a season.

Having followed with interest the work at Blackwater,  and after publishing our last article: Isle of Wight Cricket Open Days on Aug 6th, we then discovered the Isle of Wight Cricket Board website. 

It would appear very little has been written about the new ground however the IW Cricket Board now confirm: Newclose County Cricket Ground Open Days

Jim Thorn, chairman of the Isle of Wight Cricket Board, as published on the website:

“It is a magnificent development and shows the improvements we have made in Island cricket in recent years.

“It’s ironic that though the Isle of Wight was granted minor county status only last year, we are believed to be the first one in the country with our own county ground.”

The Newclose development would not have been possible without the generosity of businessman Brian Gardener, who donated the land and contributed hundreds of thousands of pounds towards the cost.

Gardener said: “I have been a cricket enthusiast all my life and was fortunate to be in a position to help with the new ground.

“We have received a lot of support and encouragement from the ECB who have helped us with grant advice and other specialist knowledge.”

“It is a magnificent facility and will help take island cricket on to the next level.”

Isle of Wight Cricket Board website HERE