Get To Know Your Groundsman: Andy Carswell
Ahead of the 2025 season, West groundsman gives us an update on the Hamilton Crescent square, how he spends his winter and what to expect over the coming months.
Entering his ninth season in groundwork, West’s chief groundsman, Andy Carswell, can reflect on a varied career which has taken him across hemispheres – not just in cricket but rugby and football too. Andy brings international experience to Hamilton Crescent, having worked at Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand during South Africa’s 2016/2017 tour. What started as a casual role using a push mower and strimmer, ended in him being asked to work in full time role looking after both cricket at rugby facilities – including the British and Irish Lions tour of 2017.
Andy highlights that Lions Tour as one of his career highlights, “It was a pretty wicked experience, getting to be up close with the players.” Stints at Arsenal Football Club (pictured above) and The Oval followed but Seddon Park holds a special place in his heart. “I was put in charge of the practice area, so I got to prepare wickets for domestic and international matches. Some of the teams included, England, South Africa, Bangladesh, Pakistan, West Indies and India. After 4 years I got to prepare the test match pitch for New Zealand V West Indies in Dec 2020, to sit and watch the first ball I don’t think I’ve ever been so nervous. It was probably the proudest moment in my career, a Blackcaps win and a Kane Williamson double hundred to top it off.”
Andy had a summer with West in 2022, producing a number of run scoring pitches, before returning in 2024. He acknowledges, however, that the surface hasn’t generally been at its best over that period. “It’s frustrating from a playing side but probably more frustrating for me. There are many factors that are involved in why that might have happened. It can look a great wicket on top but it’s what is happening below. This year it has regrown back really well so I’m happy with where it is at for this time for year.”
A milder winter, allowing for a greater level of groundwork through the Autumn, has coincided with Andy being able to undertake groundwork over the Winter with backing from the West of Scotland CC Board. “We have started a project, and it will take time to get it right but with hard work we will get there. We were still able to cut the square on outfield up until December when the frosts came. Then it’s a lot of planning for the season ahead and knowing what you want to get done and how you’re going to achieve it. It is a job that you never stop learning in and every day is different which makes it more challenging and enjoyable. I’m lucky I have Kari, who seems to enjoy the work, and Graeme, who has just started with me, so the winter is a good time for them to learn and time for me to be able to teach them a bit more about what we are doing and trying to achieve.”
During the course of our interview, Andy wanted to thank everyone at the club for the welcome he has received over recent seasons. “I can’t thank everyone at the club enough, from the board to the players and everyone involved you’ve all made me feel very welcome since day one. I’m committed to making sure I see this project through and always happy to answer questions. There is no overnight fix but we are certainly doing the right things to give us the best possible chance. I won’t stop trying until we get this club back to where we should be – in the Premiership and having representative cricket back at Hamilton Crescent.”
