This summer at Lord’s Cricket Ground, a quiet revolution has taken place in the art of pitch preparation. On head groundsman Karl McDermott’s team are two women, New Zealander Meg Lay and Australian Emma Lynch. They are the first women to join the ground staff at Lord’s, making it a unique team in English cricket.
Lynch shared her excitement, saying she often feels amazed that she has the opportunity to work at such a prestigious venue. Reflecting on memorable events like Jimmy Anderson's last Test match and the women's T20, she noted that every day feels surreal and extraordinary, regardless of whether they are hosting international matches or school games.
Unconventional Journeys to Lord's
Both women have deep roots in cricket, though their paths to Lord’s have been unconventional. Lay, who grew up on a farm in New Zealand, moved to Bristol a few years ago and lived with professional players, which led her to the sports turf industry. She recalled how she began helping the short-staffed ground team at Gloucestershire and eventually transitioned to Lord’s.
Lynch, originally from Melbourne, started her career with an apprenticeship at a golf club before working in Australian Rules football and cricket. She later moved to the UK to work at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground, and then joined Lord’s on a summer contract. She pointed out the complexity of cricket pitch preparation compared to other sports, describing it as a genuine art that requires precise skill and understanding.
On match days, the nine-person grounds team starts at 6:30 am and often works until a few hours after play ends. During the winter, Lay and her year-round colleagues return to a more standard 40-hour work week, while McDermott plans the pitches for the next season. Lord’s presents unique challenges, especially with its slope, which requires careful watering to prevent run-off from affecting other pitches.
This summer's unpredictable weather has added to the difficulties, with Lay and her team constantly checking weather apps. Lynch mentioned that the lack of consistent sun has made it challenging to give the pitches the proper "bake" they need.
Advocating for Women in Sports Turf Management
Lay and Lynch are passionate about encouraging more women to join their profession. Lay, who runs a successful TikTok account called "The Groundswoman," aims to educate people about the complexities of pitch preparation. Both women emphasised that the industry involves much more than just cutting grass, and they are committed to raising awareness about the opportunities available in sports turf management.
The presence of women in this field is still rare, with Lord’s being the only cricket ground employing two women on its grounds team. Lay recounted the difficulty in recruiting women for a pitch preparation project at Edgbaston, highlighting the scarcity of women in the industry. She urged interested individuals to pursue various pathways, whether through university degrees or hands-on experience.
Lynch added that the industry is ideal for "failed athletes" who didn't make the grade in professional sports. She hopes that by seeing women like her and Lay on the ground, young girls and boys will realise that the profession is open to anyone, not just men.
As Lord’s hosts England women against New Zealand, Lay and Lynch discussed the nuances of preparing pitches for women's cricket. They believe that a bit more grass is needed to enhance the pace and bounce, given the different physical dynamics of female players. Lay expressed a desire for the ECB to fund research into optimizing pitches for women's cricket.
Both women aspire to work on a women’s Test match at Lord’s, considering it the pinnacle of their careers. Lay, driven by her passion for women’s sports, dreams of being part of such a historic event, seeing it as a significant milestone in her profession.