Industry
Cricket Club
Challenge
Leicestershire County Cricket Club needed to upgrade their training facilities to better serve their professional squads, pathway players, and community users. The existing facilities required updating to reduce injury risks and simulate matchday conditions more effectively.
Results
The completed project has significantly enhanced the training environment at Leicestershire County Cricket Club. The new facilities provide improved safety, better training conditions, and are now a benchmark for professional cricket training environments.
Key Product
Resurfaced Net Lanes, Wing Nets, Shock-Absorbing Run-Up Padding, Fielding and Wicketkeeping Space
"We are thrilled to further elevate our offering alongside Durant Sports, who have played an integral role in upgrading our training facilities. These new developments benefit all facets of the game."
"We’re proud to extend our partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club through both the naming of the ‘Durant Sport Outdoor Nets’ and our role in the transformation of the Mike Turner Indoor Cricket Centre. It’s an exciting time for the Club, and these upgrades represent a significant step forward in enhancing facilities for players at every level."
“We’re delighted to welcome Durant Sport on board as an Official Partner of the Club. Their reputation within the game is outstanding, and their support in taking on the naming rights to our outdoor nets is a fantastic boost to our facilities. We look forward to working together to develop this partnership and deliver real value to both parties.”
About Leicestershire CCC
Founded in 1879, Leicestershire County Cricket Club is one of England’s 18 first-class counties and boasts a proud history that includes three County Championship titles and multiple one-day honours. Based at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester, the Club has long been known for developing homegrown talent and punching above its weight. The Men's First Team currently sit top of Division 2.
Our Partnership
Durant Sports has proudly supported Leicestershire County Cricket Club for a number of years, with a partnership rooted in shared ambition and a commitment to high-quality cricket facilities. Our relationship with the Club began over five years ago with the installation of the original outdoor training facility at the Uptonsteel County Ground, a facility that has since hosted numerous international squads, including India, and world-class players such as Virat Kohli. As part of our extended partnership, we are delighted to announce that the facility will now carry the name 'The Durant Sports Outdoor Nets', a testament to its importance as a performance hub within the ground and its role in preparing players for play.
The Challenge
Leicestershire County Cricket Club faced a clear and growing need to refurbish their indoor training facilities to better support their professional squads, pathway programmes, and community users. The existing Mike Turner Indoor Cricket Centre had become outdated and worn, offering limited functionality and an increased risk of injury due to ageing surfaces. Crucially, it no longer provided the realistic, high-performance environment required to simulate matchday conditions. A comprehensive redevelopment was essential to safeguard player welfare, enhance preparation, and support the long-term development of cricketers across all levels.
The Solution
To meet the Club’s evolving requirements, we designed and executed a tailored, multi-phase facility improvement plan. Our team resurfaced all three net lanes using our ECB-approved 'Duraweave' woven carpets, a high-performance system also used at leading indoor centres such as Merchant Taylors’ School and Millfield School. Engineered for durability and matchday realism, these surfaces provide an ideal training foundation, enhanced by Leicestershire's carpets integrated wicket training lines. Alongside this, we conducted a full net service, replacing both wing nets and the rear netting to enhance safety and long-term performance.
Understanding the importance of versatile training environments, we also transformed a previously underused, hard-floor rear section of the hall into a 12m x 12m specialist carpeted zone. This area was designed for fielding and wicketkeeping drills, while also offering valuable additional space for extended fast-bowler run-ups. The result is a more dynamic, multifunctional indoor facility that meets Leicestershire’s performance and development goals.
The Results
The redevelopment of the Mike Turner Indoor Cricket Centre has delivered a transformative upgrade to Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s training environment. The new facilities offer a safer, more realistic setting for practice, with reduced injury risk and enhanced surfaces that better replicate matchday conditions. From ECB-approved 'Duraweave' wickets and a dedicated fielding zone, the centre now supports every aspect of modern cricket training.
Reflecting on the project, Cristian Durant, Director of Durant Sports, said: “We’re proud to extend our partnership with Leicestershire County Cricket Club through both the naming of the ‘Durant Sport Outdoor Nets’ and our role in the transformation of the Mike Turner Indoor Cricket Centre. It’s an exciting time for the Club, and these upgrades represent a significant step forward in enhancing facilities for players at every level.”
Sean Jarvis, CEO of Leicestershire CCC, echoed this sentiment: “We are thrilled to further elevate our offering alongside Durant Sports, who have played an integral role in upgrading our training facilities. These new developments benefit all facets of the game.”
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