The world famous Oval cricket ground in Kennington, London is rumoured to be re-shaped under conditions imposed by the venue’s new brand partner.
US Internet website development company SquareSpace has reportedly signed a new 3 year deal with the club and, as lead sponsorship partner, has imposed a number of branding conditions on the historic venue.
Whispers circulating from the club suggest that, in addition to the standard logo advertising placements across the ground, the playing surface is to be “trimmed” along the signatory curved edges of the outfield, to mirror the company’s profile.
“It’s not a decision we’ve taken lightly” said Sponsorship Manager Derek Gully. “The overall area of the outfield will only be reduced by about 45% and, although this will have some impact on the boundary distances, particularly square of the wicket, it is likely to result in greater number of sixes in our Twenty20 matches and that’s got to be good for everyone” he explained.
Sources close to the club have explained that each of the outfield’s curved boundaries will be “straightened” to the extent that the overall shape of the ground is in line with the company branding.

Ron Boid, spokesperson for the new sponsor said “We’re delighted to be involved with the Kennington SquareSpace [as it is to be called]. It’s a wonderful venue and, once we’ve placed our logo right across the pitch, we’ll get wonderful brand exposure, particularly from the aerial cameras” he explained.
Work is expected to begin in late September and completed in time for the 2018 season.