One of the first-class cricket teams in the UK, Somerset County Cricket Club joined the County Championship in 1891 and have been playing top-flight cricket ever since. With former-England international and member of the iconic 2005 Ashes winning team, Marcus Trescothick, opening the batting for the county side, they started preparing for the 2019 season in the nets with added protection in the form of Net World Sports’ FORTRESS L-Screens.

With top Somerset CCC bowlers bowling balls in the nets at up to 80mph, the shot from the batsmen can be hit back just as quick when timed to perfection. In order to keep their coaches safe during white ball cricket training, Somerset CCC looked to Net World Sports to provide Cricket Throw-Down L-Screens as well as FORTRESS Portable L-Screens for when they’re on the move.

Net World Sports Cricket Throw-Down L-Screens
Net World Sports Cricket Throw-Down L-Screen"

“Player and coach safety is crucial when we train at Somerset CCC. We wanted to be able to keep our coaches safe and protect the people who are throwing balls at our batsmen - ultimately helping them perfect their techniques. The L-Screens we ordered from Net World Sports are exactly what we needed and having faced a ball coming back to me at a good pace recently and jumping behind the screen, I can say first hand that they’re worth their weight in gold.” Marcus Trescothick, Opening Batsman at Somerset CCC

STANDS UP TO THE TEST

As a County Championship club, Somerset CCC have their fair share of top players and the FORTRESS L-Screens have proved to stand up to what they need. “They’re really good quality and do everything we want them to,” comments Marcus. “The purpose of the L-Screen is bang on the money and with them being so sturdy they’ve definitely stood up to the test – they’re really useful.”

BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYONE

Whilst the immediate protection when using the FORTRESS L-Screens is the for the coaches / bowlers, Somerset CCC believe the latest additions to their training sessions will become beneficial for everyone in the long term. “I think the use of L-Screens in training will come into play for lots of professional clubs, I can’t put into words how valuable they are. We’re already looking at getting another portable one to take to away matches and to give to the opposition when they come to Taunton.”

Net World Sports FORTRESS Portable L-Screens
Net World Sports FORTRESS Portable L-Screen"

Taunton will soon be home to Net World Sports’ semi-permanent cricket net system too, so watch this space for more news on our work with Somerset CCC.