As the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup captivates the cricket world this month, two of the sport’s most historic venues, Kensington Oval in Barbados and Lord’s Cricket Ground in London, have upgraded their antiquated and inefficient metal-halide lights to state-of-the-art MAKO Sports Lighting systems from M3 Innovation, which is working in partnership with specialist stadium lighting design manufacturer Abacus Lighting. This LED lighting solution is the only one designed specifically for cricket.
In early April, Lord’s became the first UK men’s Test Ground to transition to LED sports lighting. Installed by Abacus Lighting ahead of the 2024 season, the new lights enhance the game experience for players and fans while meeting sustainability standards mandated by Westminster City Council (WCC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
At Kensington Oval, the host site of nine World Cup matches this month, including the finals on June 29, the MAKO lighting solution was a key component of the venue’s multi-million-dollar renovation. MAKO and Abacus Lighting once again worked in partnership to deliver the only LED lighting solution capable of meeting the strict standards while maintaining the historic facility’s existing infrastructure.
“We are honored that these two iconic cricket grounds have chosen our groundbreaking MAKO lighting system to elevate the game experience for fans and players alike,” said Joe Casper, CEO of M3 Innovation. “Recognizing the unique lighting requirements of cricket grounds, we developed, along with Abacus Lighting, the first-ever digital lighting system tailored specifically for cricket. The success at these venues has already generated significant interest from cricket grounds worldwide facing similar challenges.”
The MAKO system is the only digital sports lighting solution designed specifically for cricket grounds. Its patented optical lens meets both the new ICC T-24 standards and the more stringent ICC T20 World Cup standards, requiring illumination of greater than 3000 lux (300 lumens per square yard) across the 22-yard-long by 10-foot-wide wicket.
The selection of the MAKO Sports Lighting System was driven by its ability to leverage existing Abacus Lighting masts while doubling the required light output. Its modular design and reduced weight enable seamless integration into existing infrastructure without exceeding weight limits or inflating project costs, eliminating the need for numerous fixtures, complex mounting configurations, and excessive wiring.
While LED sports lighting has existed for over a decade, the innovative MAKO system represents a significant advancement over previous technologies, addressing the shortcomings of first-generation digital lighting solutions. With the MAKO system and Abacus Lighting’s 65 years of experience in delivering state-of-the-art stadium lighting, cricket grounds worldwide now have access to a digital lighting solution engineered to meet their unique requirements, ushering in a new era of illumination for the sport.
Robert Ebdon, Estates Director at Marylebone Cricket Club, said: “Reducing energy consumption across the Lord’s estate is a key priority as we work towards our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030 and Net Zero by 2040, if not earlier. These innovative new lights will contribute greatly to this goal while enhancing visibility and clarity, giving spectators and players a brighter and more consistent lighting experience and providing optimal conditions for world-class cricket.”
