Mark Taylor Oval: New indoor cricket complex ‘game changer’ for northern Sydney

A new indoor cricket complex will be a game changer for cricketers in Sydney’s north with the Premier Cricket club also announcing its intentions to host international matches.

A new indoor cricket complex is set to be a “game changer” for cricketers in Sydney’s north as one of the city’s top clubs reveals its motivation to keep local talent in the area.

The $2.1 million indoor cricket complex will include four indoor wickets along with a viewing area, equipment room and toilet facilities at Mark Taylor Oval in Waitara.

There will be four indoor nets, three of which will have a full length run up. The fourth will be a shorter lane equipped with a bowling machine.

The site is owned by Hornsby Council yet leased and managed by Northern District Cricket Club.

The club’s president Jeremy Hook said it was “exciting” to finally have the plans approved.

“After it’s complete we will be on a similar footing with about half of the Premier Clubs in Sydney,” Mr Hook said.

The $2.1M indoor cricket complex at Mark Taylor Oval

Mr Hook said having quality training facilities was important to keep local talent.

“We want to encourage what is a massive local cricket community to believe they can go all the way in the game,” Mr Hook said.

“In the past we’ve had young players get to a good level then think they have to play in another part of Sydney for better facilities.

“We’ve got to reverse that because we are one of the best areas for cricket in Sydney but our facilities have been lacking.”

Mr Hook said the vision was to create a hub for cricket in Sydney’s north as well as a destination for women’s cricket.

“We have a vision to one day host international women’s cricket at Mark Taylor Oval.

The site is owned by Hornsby Council yet leased and managed by Northern District Cricket Club.

“We expect the NSW Women’s cricket team The Breakers to also train there on occasion.”

The club’s director of cricket Matthew Johnson said indoor cricket facilities were lacking north of the Harbour Bridge and said that the new complex will be a “game changer” for local cricketers.

“For there to be an indoor cricket facility in Hornsby Shire is really exciting,” he said.

“We’re a Premier Cricket Club so indoor training facilities are important for us to compete at that elite level.”

Mr Johnson said indoor facilities were critical because the area was more prone to rain.

“Indoor facilities are critical these days particularly in Hornsby where we get more rain than the other parts of Sydney.

“If there’s rain, training will be cancelled but with the indoor training facility, boys and girls will be able to use that facility in rain, hail and shine.”

Redevelopment of the oval is also set to start this August and continue during the summer.

Construction of the indoor facility is estimated to take between 13-18 months.