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Standards for indoor and outdoor cricket lighting

When it comes to floodlights for your cricket oval or indoor cricket wickets, there are a number of requirements that need to be considered. These are dependent on the level of competition that will take place and the related standards for lighting levels and lighting uniformity on different areas of the oval.

Key Australian standards which apply to cricket lighting include:

  • AS 2560.1:2018 – Sports Lighting Part 1: General Principles
  • AS 2560.2:2021 – Sports Lighting Part 2: Specific Applications
  • AS 4282:2019 – Control of the obtrusive effects of outdoor lighting

The following tables provide an overview of the floodlighting requirements for outdoor and indoor cricket.

Outdoor Cricket (referenced from Cricket Australia’s Guidance Notes 21/22 & AS2560.2)
Although the Australian standards have produced an LTP table for cricket lighting requirements, they don’t currently line up so well with the requirements advised by Cricket Australia so it is always best to check with your state governing body for the current requirements to ensure your oval meets the levels for the competition level you aim to participate in.

Outdoor Cricket Class Descriptions
Outdoor: Class I

  • International
  • Domestic

Outdoor Class II

  • Match Simulation – National/State

Outdoor Class III

  • International
  • Domestic
  • Premier Senior – 1st & 2nd XI
  • National Youth Championships (U/19 M)

Outdoor Class IV

  • Premier Senior – 1st XI (F)
  • Premier Senior – All other (M)
  • National Youth Championships (U/19 F)

Outdoor Class V

  • Premier Senior – All Other (F)
  • Community Senior (M)
  • National Youth Championships (U/17 M)
  • Premier Junior (M&F)
  • Junior Cricket Stage 3 (M)

Outdoor Class VI

  • Community Senior (F)
  • National Youth Championships (U/16 F)
  • Junior Cricket Stages 2 & 3 (F)
  • Junior Cricket Stages 1 & 2 (M)

Outdoor Class VII

  • Junior Cricket Stage 1 (F)
  • Master Blasters (M&F)
  • Junior Blasters (M&F)
  • Schools Programs (M&F)

Outdoor Cricket Lighting Standards

Class

Average horizontal maintained illuminance

Minimum horizontal uniformity

Maximum uniformity gradient

Maximum glare rating

Eh lux

U1Min/Avg

U2Min/Max

UG (per 5m)

GR

Class I

Square
Infield
Outfield

1500
1500
1000

0.8
0.7
0.6

0.7
0.6
0.5

1.11
1.11
1.25

45
45
50

Class II*

Square
Infield
Outfield

1000
850
700

0.8
0.7
0.6

0.7
0.6
0.5

1.11
1.11
1.25

45
45
50

Class III*

Square
Infield
Outfield

750
600
500

0.8
0.7
0.6

0.7
0.6
0.5

1.11
1.11
1.25

45
45
50

Class IV

Square
Infield
Outfield

500
400
300

0.7
0.6
0.5

0.6
0.5
0.4

1.11
1.25
1.54

45
45
50

Class V

Square
Infield
Outfield

300
250
200

0.7
0.6
0.5

0.6
0.5
0.4

1.11
1.33
1.67

50
50
50

Class VI

Square/Infield/Outfield

200

0.6

0.4

1.67

50

Class VII

Square/Infield/Outfield

100

0.5

0.3

1.67

50

These levels apply to non-broadcast cricket and are based on use of a white ball (they are also appropriate for use of a pink ball) with contrasting sight screens.

* Class II and Class III have different lux level requirements and uniformity levels in AS 2560.2 compared to the Cricket Australia guidance notes. Assumptions are therefore made to be the same levels as Class I.

Indoor Cricket Class Descriptions
Outdoor: Class I

  • International (M)
  • Domestic (M)

Outdoor Class II

  • International (F)
  • Domestic (F)

Outdoor Class III

  • Premier Senior – 1st & 2nd XI (M)
  • National Youth Championships (U/19 M)

Outdoor Class IV

  • Premier Senior (F)
  • Premier Senior – All other (M)
  • National Youth Championships (U/19 F)
  • National Youth Championships (U/17 M)
  • National Youth Championships (U/16 F)
  • Community Senior (M)
  • Premier Junior (M&F)
  • Junior Cricket Stage 3 (M)

Outdoor Class V

  • Community Senior (F)
  • Junior Cricket Stage 1, 2 and 3 (F)
  • Junior Cricket Stage 1 and 2 (M)
  • Master Blasters (M&F)
  • Junior Blasters (M&F)
  • Schools Programs (M&F)

Indoor Cricket Lighting Standards

Class

Average horizontal maintained illuminance

Min. horizontal uniformity

Max. glare rating

Eh lux

U1Min/Avg

U2Min/Max

GR

Class I

1500

0.8

0.6

35

Class II

1000

0.8

0.6

40

Class III

750

0.8

0.6

40

Class IV

500

0.8

0.6

40

Class V

300

0.8

0.6

40

These levels are based on use of a yellow indoor cricket ball.

(The tables above provide only some of the key values set out in the standards. For more detailed information, relevant guidance documents and links are available below in the Useful Links section.)

New Floodlight Installation for a Cricket Facility?
Additional standards and guidelines are to be considered if a completely new floodlighting system for cricket is being installed. AS 2560.2 figure 2.4.3 should be referenced which advises possible pole locations depending on the direction of play of the oval. The height of the poles will depend on the size of the field and clause 1.6 in AS 2560.2 is in place to ensure glare to players and spectators will be reduced by adopting mounting heights above the minimum recommended values.

image of AS 2560.2 figure 2.4.3 showing floodlight layouts for a cricket oval

What do these terms mean?
Illuminance – the term used to describe the level of light on a surface in lumens/m2 or lux.
Maintained illuminance – is the term used to describe the average illuminance on a reference surface at the time maintenance must be carried out.
Eh lux – Average maintained illuminance.
U1Min/Avg – The lowest recorded lux value on the playing surface divided by the average.
U2Min/Max – The lowest recorded lux value on the playing surface divided by the highest value.

As well as the information provided by the national standards and Cricket Australia, our team of lighting experts are available to answer any queries you may have about floodlights and to support you through the planning and design stages of your sports lighting project. If you would like to discuss the floodlight requirements for your cricket facility with one of our experienced team members, please contact us by clicking here.

Useful Links:
Community Cricket – Facilities and Infrastructure
NSW Office of Sport – Outdoor Design
Queensland Government Sports Field Lighting – Get in the Game

Disclaimer:
The information provided on this page has been collated from various sources, including those provided above in Useful Links. This information may be subject to change at any time by sports governing bodies and standards agencies.