New Inverdee cricket pitches opened by Jack Nixon

The Press and Journal's cricket and rugby correspondent cut the ribbon to open the new facilities.

By Callum Law

August 16 2023, 5:00 pm

From left to right: Lisa Watson (North East Grades), Mohammad Taqueer Malik (councillor and grades player), Mark Pain (community sports manager, Sport Aberdeen) Jack Nixon (P&J cricket correspondent), Paul Gray (North East Grades administrator), Brian Lynas (president of North East Cricket Scotland), Alan Burnett (North East Grades trustee) at the opening of the Inverdee pitches. Pictures by Kenny Elrick

A legend of north-east cricket and The Press and Journal has hailed the opening of new cricket pitches at Inverdee.

Jack Nixon, The P&J’s longstanding cricket and rugby correspondent, was given the honour of cutting the ceremonial ribbon on Tuesday evening.

Two new artificial pitches have been laid at Inverdee following work by North East Cricket Scotland (NECS) and Sport Aberdeen, with Aberdeen City Council’s Common Good Fund and the Cricket Scotland Development Trust providing financial support.

Nixon, who is set to retire from his role as a P&J correspondent at the end of the season, said: “This is a big occasion for a sport with already nearly 200 years of history in the north-east.

The opening of the Inverdee cricket pitches, with Jack Nixon cutting the ribbon — Jack Nixon, second from right, cuts the ribbon at Inverdee alongside Mark Pain (community sports manager Sport Aberdeen), left, councillor Mohammad Taqueer Malik, second from left, and Brian Lynas (president of the North East Grades).

“Cricket Scotland, NECS and Aberdeen City Council are all to be congratulated for promoting the initiative.

“I just hope in a 100 years, the same organisations will be celebrating the many runs scored and wickets taken, and that the Press and Journal will be there to record the event.

“It was a great pleasure to declare Inverdee open for the pleasure and enjoyment of generations of cricketers to come.”

Facilities important

NECS president Brian Lynas is keen to continue upgrading the facilities at Inverdee – with plans for a third pitch and further amenities in the pipeline.

He added: “It’s important to keep trying to improve facilities. Right now we only have the two pitches down.

“Going forward, we’d like to put in a small pavilion and nets which would be beneficial going forward, particularly with the juniors.

“We’ve got a lot of youngsters taking up the game and we want to grow our capacity to help bring through more young players.”