Cambridge researchers are embarking on a fresh initiative to disrupt prevailing inefficient methods in the creation and development of cricket equipment. Their goal is to safeguard and enhance the UK's cottage industry that sustains it.
Taking Sustainable Approach
Supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and with the collaboration of industry partners and social enterprises, the Design Accelerator project is financially backed and aims to revolutionise the design and production of cricket gear. Its primary objective is to align the sport, which is the UK's second-largest, with net-zero considerations by incorporating circular design principles such as reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycle into the manufacturing process of cricket equipment.
The project, led by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in conjunction with Dr Darshil Shah, Associate Professor in Materials and Design at Cambridge, focuses on researching locally sourced biomaterials, recycled materials, and repurposed components specifically for batting pads.
Batting pads are complex products comprising various materials, including polyurethane, paperboard, cane, polyester mesh, high-density foam, thermoformed polystyrene, polyester lining, and a cotton-polyester blend wadding. Traditionally, these materials are discarded in landfills after the end of the product's life cycle, and most of them are derived from non-renewable sources.
A pair of batting pads has a carbon footprint equivalent to 2.60 CO2 eq. Kg/functional unit, which is comparable to driving a distance of 10km. For instance, approximately 351,000 pairs of pads (552 tonnes) reach the end of their initial useful life each year. This necessitates the exploration of sustainable alternatives, such as biomaterials sourced from plants, trees, or animals, as well as design modifications that extend the product's lifespan.
“The ultimate goal is to revive the manufacturing of cricket gear here in the UK, by relying less on imports from overseas, and using local materials, at a time where there is an increasing culture of repair,” says Dr Darshil Shah
Dr Shah, who is leading the initiative, along with his team from the Centre for Natural Material Innovation (CNMI) at the University of Cambridge, is actively searching for sustainable alternatives to develop, produce, and test circular prototypes of cricket batting pads. Dr Shah, who is also a cricket enthusiast and a former member of Thailand's under-19 national cricket team, will utilise sustainable materials identified through recent research conducted at Cambridge.
These materials include synthetic chamois leathers for linings, waste fibres from banana leaves for fluffy fillings, and waste plastic materials for cane strips in the pads. The project is an extension of previous research conducted by the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in collaboration with Dr Shah, led by Professor Martin Charter and Dr Lilian Sanchez-Moreno, in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Design (CfSD).
Dr Shah emphasised the need for sustainable practices in cricket gear manufacturing, as cricket is the most equipment-intensive sport globally. The current production of cricket gear follows a linear and non-circular lifecycle, resulting in wastage and limited opportunities for repair, refurbishment, and reuse. Consequently, a significant amount of cricket gear ends up in landfills. Moreover, the manufacturing of cricket gear predominantly occurs in South Asia, contributing to the carbon footprint associated with imported cricket equipment.
Dr Shah's research has highlighted the immense potential for reusing various components of these multi-material products. Numerous sustainable alternative materials, many derived from plants, offer possibilities for creating high-impact, resistant, and rigid components suitable for batting pads.
Shifting viewpoints
Caitlin Mackellar, a former student of Cambridge University who completed her Master of Engineering (MEng) degree in 2023, conducted a user perception study to examine the opinions of students and staff regarding vegan leathers made from sustainable or plant-based sources.
The study revealed that there were biased views and concerns about the quality and durability of bio-based alternative leathers, even though the individuals interviewed had no prior experience with such materials.
The purpose of the study was to explore how perceptions, including those of players, manufacturers, and stakeholders, can influence attitudes towards alternative sustainable materials in cricket.
“Notably, users had a generally poor understanding of the environmental impact of leather production and even those with knowledge did not avoid leather because of it,” said Dr Shah. “It was found that the reputation leather holds as a durable material often outweighs concern over impacts, and many participants justified purchases with the idea that the products will last significantly longer than an alternative.”
Furthermore, the research indicated that fossil-fuel-derived imitation leathers had a significantly lower environmental impact than traditional bovine leathers, while sustainable/bio-based alternative leathers had a slightly higher but comparable environmental impact, as determined by systematic reviews and lifecycle assessment analyses.
It's worth noting that cricket governing bodies are increasingly focusing on sustainability and inclusivity, such as by creating positions dedicated to sustainability and accessibility. In 2023, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) published its first Impact of Cricket report, which outlined a strategy for promoting environmental sustainability in the sport.