The big new thing at Lords this summer is the installation of a high-tech floodlighting system. Four giant 50-metre retractable masts, each carrying a frame of 100 lamps, have been installed and they look mighty impressive. Somewhat disheartening then that bad light stopped play on a couple of occasions during the West Indies test match.
The MCC had to battle hard for planning permission. After all the Twenty20 matches for which the lights are primarily intended are referred to as the "crack cocaine" of cricket and the St Johns Wood Residents Association had plenty to say:
“The Twenty20 World Cup [in the summer of 2009] will create a host of adverse impacts – it will attract huge crowds in the evening, there will be DJs playing loud music and more noise will be generated. The overall effect would be to generate levels and types of disturbance beyond any reasonable tolerance, in this densely residential and sensitive location."
As a result permission was granted on several conditions. The lights can only be used at full power until 21.50hrs. Bars must close at 21.00hrs on match days. The lights can only be used for a specific number of cricket matches between April and September. The frames must be dismantled within two weeks of the beginning/end of each cricket season.
All a bit limiting for what is described as the most modern, cutting-edge lighting system of its kind anywhere in the world. I for one will be at the inaugural match of the ICC World Twenty20 series on June 5th to witness the lights at full blast and to purchase my beverages pre-21.00hrs.
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