Where to Play Cricket Near Me

The start of the cricket season should be well underway by now and the cricket fever is certainly still in the air. However, it doesn’t matter how many repeats of the 2005 Ashes Series we watch, nothing can replicate the feeling of stepping out onto the field in your whites for the first time in the season, with the sun bouncing off the freshly cut cricket strip.

Cricket is a sport that is hugely reliant on the weather, so much so that a spot of rain can easily ruin a whole weekend’s play, therefore, the importance of indoor cricket nets in order to continue practice is huge.

Away from private cricket clubs, historically it has been difficult to find quality indoor cricket nets for a reasonable price. However, in recent years, sports centres and schools have dramatically improved the maintenance of indoor cricket net facilities and there has been a notable shift in the accessibility to hire indoor cricket nets throughout the UK.

Regardless of whether it’s an urban or rural area of the UK, you can expect to never be too far away from a cricket pitch, the popularity of the game spiked dramatically after the 2005 Ashes series and has since started to decrease. However, it seems after England’s heroics at the Cricket World Cup last summer, the cricket has somewhat been re-born.

We have put together a list of the best indoor cricket nets to hire in London, Luton, Manchester, Dublin and around the UK.

Where to hire cricket nets in London

London boasts one of the most competitive cricket leagues in the UK and it is no surprise that there are many high-quality indoor cricket nets available to hire in London. Somers Town Community Centre is just by Kings Cross station and a great place to practice that cover drive, open Monday to Friday from 3pm. 

In South London, just a stone’s throw away from the famous Oval cricket ground, Ark All Saints Academy boasts some fantastic indoor cricket nets available to hire. The pay as you play system means you can book now and play without being a member and the facility is perfect for a quick practice with some friends or with a larger team-size group. The cricket nets are available to hire from 6pm-10pm on weekdays and from 8am-10pm on weekends.

Haverstock School is another great choice to hire indoor cricket nets in London. Based in Camden, just a short walk from Chalk Farm station, the school offers two high-quality full-size cricket nets and is open from 6pm-10pm on weekdays and 8am-10pm on weekends.

Where to hire cricket nets in Manchester

Home to the hugely successful Lancashire county cricket side, Manchester is full of high-quality indoor cricket nets including Oasis Academy MediaCityUK, which is based in Ordsall. A great facility that accommodates for a wide variety of sports, cricket being one of the most popular sports played here. The indoor nets are available to hire from 8am-10pm from Monday to Saturday so no excuses for not getting your bowling practice in before your Sunday fixture.

If you’re looking to hire cricket nets in North West Manchester, you’ll find great indoor cricket facilities at The Albion Academy. The two indoor cricket nets are well-maintained and come with changing rooms and great transport links nearby. The cricket net is available to hire from 6pm-10pm during the week on a pay as play basis.

Manchester Enterprise Academy Central is another superb choice for anyone hiring indoor cricket nets in Manchester. The sports hall offers a wide spectrum of sports and it’s two cricket nets are popular additions for visitors to the venue. Located in Fallowfield, the venue is easily accessible via bus and train, the nearest station being Levenshulme.

Chorlton High School has two great cricket nets which can be easily booked by cricketers of all levels of ability and provides a great surface to practice through the winter break. With free parking on-site and a nearby tram stop, the venue is accessible and open for 6pm-9pm on weekdays and 8am-9pm on weekends.

Where to hire cricket nets in Luton

Looking for cricket nets in Luton? Venue 360 is another great option to hire indoor cricket nets in Luton. The venue offers great facilities for a variety of sports and boasts four state of the art full-size cricket nets with superb surfaces. The cricket nets are just a 5-minute walk from Luton Airport Parkway train station and open from 9am-10pm throughout the week, perfect for a quick bat and bowl before or after work.

Where to hire cricket nets in Dublin

Situated in the north side of Dublin, Belvedere College is a perfect spot to hire indoor cricket nets. The college caters for a wide range of sports and the cricket nets are in great condition. With easily accessible bus links in and out of the city, this venue is ideal to get some practice after work.

Cabra Parkside Community and Sports Centre is another great option to hire cricket nets in the north end of the city. Open from 8:15am-10pm during the week, the venue offers flexibility to its visitors and accessible bus links into the city centre. 

Where to hire cricket nets in the rest of the UK

Welling School in Bexley offers great facilities to hire indoor cricket nets, and boasts two indoor lanes with high-quality surfaces to practice on. The nets are available to hire on weekdays from 6pm-10pm and on weekends from 9am-6pm.