The life of a cricket groundskeeper: ‘It’s hard – but I’ve seen the world’s best players’ | Sport

Gary Barwell is on his electric mower, catching up with the latest on Spin through his earphones while he smoothly navigates the Edgbaston square, keeping an eye on the gathering clouds.

Since 2011, he has been the head of sports turf at Edgbaston and serves as an ambassador for the Grounds Management Association; he has lovingly nurtured grass for over 30 years, starting as a teenager on a YTS scheme with Leicester City.

“I adore it,” he shares. “My passion runs deep; I don’t see it as a job and consider myself very fortunate. Truly, I’m a failed sportsman. By around 12-13, I realized that, but I still wanted to stay involved in sports. I spent a couple of days in the ticket office at Leicester City before the grounds staff took pity on me.”

From that moment, he was hooked. Barwell joined the ground staff at Grace Road in 1993, working his way up before becoming the deputy head groundskeeper at Trent Bridge in 2009, where he gained invaluable experience alongside Steve Birks, whom he regards as the best grounds manager in the world.

“I would have preferred to stay there longer, but the chance at Edgbaston arose, offering everything I desired – to lead my own pitch. I agreed to give it a year, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Barwell and his team have since garnered numerous accolades, including the IOG’s Groundsman of the Year and Professional Cricket Grounds Team of the Year awards in 2018, along with the (shared) Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy in 2022. He has enjoyed many proud moments, from dealing with Storm Alex before the Covid Blast Finals Day in 2020 to Eoin Morgan praising an Edgbaston World Cup pitch in 2019, stating: “We knew when we arrived at Edgbaston we’d be playing on a belter.” He reflects, “And that’s wonderful, being a small part of enabling those experiences. My ambition is always to get cricket on quicker than anyone else.”

Much has evolved during Barwell’s tenure, from changes in the playing season to shifts in climate patterns. “When I left school, it was truly a seasonal position, and cricket was very much a summer activity,” he recalls.

“Now, with The Hundred, we have additional tournaments; the season begins on March 15 with friendlies and training, extending until October 1. Out of 155 days this summer, Edgbaston will be utilized for 133. The enhanced professionalism and practice frequency of players increase our workload significantly.

“Climate-wise, seasons have shifted and extremes are becoming more pronounced. Winters used to be distinctly cold, and summers were warm. Now, when it rains, it tends to pour, and the situation is likely to worsen; we’re in a constant battle.

“Year after year, something unusual occurs somewhere in the country. Last year we experienced an intense heatwave, while this year, summer seems almost non-existent in Birmingham, with strong winds almost every day. In the past, the jet stream would reliably settle in the right spot.”

The season flows with its highs and lows. Currently, Barwell finds himself in the midst of a peak, having kicked off with the Test against West Indies and extending through eight Hundred games and four Metro Bank 50-over fixtures – most occurring at an outground but still monitored by Barwell.

Barwell’s workday also varies. Residing outside Birmingham, he awakens at 5:30 am to ensure he arrives at the ground punctually. On some days, he might leave Edgbaston by four, while on others, he might lock up as late as midnight. He has developed a keen interest in weather patterns, utilizing various apps such as Thunderstore to gauge storm probabilities – yet one of the joys of his profession is its ability to disconnect him from mobile devices and social media.

“It’s an amazing career, and I would advocate it to everyone. Nowadays, as people increasingly stress about mental health and remain glued to their phones, seldom engaging with one another, my role lets me be outdoors every day with a team ranging from ages 22 to 64. Is it challenging and sometimes frustrating? Absolutely. Is there extra pressure? Without a doubt. But I’m not a nurse trying to save a life. I’m very fortunate to have witnessed some of the world’s best players.”

He cherishes the interpersonal aspect of his work, fostering teamwork and mindfulness of his staff’s well-being. “I wouldn’t claim to be in peak physical shape, but I am relatively fit. For me, the role can be more mentally taxing as I consistently check in on everyone’s well-being; it’s a demanding job. I thrive on social interactions and love being part of a great team.

“This morning, I aimed to remove the nets early, so I arrived at 6:30 am. Although the staff typically work 8-5, by the time I got here, three members of the team were already present, with two more arriving twenty minutes later. That’s the level of commitment.”

And his secret to success? “Sitting down and sharing a laugh over a beer and a biscuit after work.”

This is an excerpt from the Guardian’s weekly cricket email, The Spin. To subscribe, please visit this page and follow the instructions.