Sussex to upgrade Hove floodlights

Sussex are hoping to avoid a repeat of the early conclusion against Kent in June by upgrading their permanent floodlights

Sussex have announced they are to replace their permanent floodlights by next season as part of continued ground developments at Hove.

The existing eight pylons will be given new lamp-heads and two new ones will be erected - one behind the pavilion and a second just north of the main scoreboard.

The eventual Twenty20 Cup champions were forced to cut short a group match against Kent in June after the floodlights failed 11 overs into the Spitfires’ pursuit of 132 for victory. That handed the Sharks an two-run Duckworth/Lewis win.

Brighton and Hove City Council last Wednesday gave planning approval for the erection of new floodlights.

Musco Lighting Ltd have been appointed to carry out the work and will begin their onsite activity in early December with the new lights, powered by an electrical sub-station rather than generators, operational next season.

Sussex chief executive Dave Brooks said: “The original lights erected in 1998 were unable to offer the light required to meet ECB guidelines. They had become obsolete and rather unreliable.

“After our issues in 2009, I am delighted that the council have accepted this application and the understanding and input from local residents has been a real help in achieving this.

“With funding partly supplied by the ECB, I am looking forward to this significant improvement in the staging of floodlit cricket at Hove from 2010.”