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The Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust has announced the appointment of Adam Lewis as the new Curator of the SCG, just the ninth person to fill the role in the venue’s 160-year history.

The Trust has also appointed its first Grounds Manager, Justin Groves, who will have overall responsibility for Allianz Stadium and the SCG.

Announcing the appointment, Trust Chief Executive Jamie Barkley stated “we are pleased to welcome Adam and Justin to the home of sport in Sydney, the SCG and Allianz Stadium.

“Justin is the Trust’s first grounds manager and will oversee the preparation and presentation of two of the busiest and most high profile grounds in Australian sport.

“His expertise across multiple sports, knowledge of cutting edge turf practices and the transition between the winter and summer seasons will be vital.

“Adam beat a strong field to replace the legendary Tom Parker, who became only the SCG's eighth curator when he was appointed in 1997."

Groves joins the SCG Trust from the South Australian Cricket Association, while Lewis is the superintendent of Sydney's Hurtsville Oval.

Groves has more than 15 years’ experience in turf management at the Adelaide Oval and other South Australian venues, covering a broad range of sports.

Welcoming his new role, Groves stated “I’m really looking forward to the challenge presented by managing the very different needs of all the sports that call the SCG and Allianz Stadium home.

“I’m also looking forward to working with the Trust’s grounds team to ensure that we produce the best playing surfaces possible.”

Lewis has overseen Hurstville Oval since 2001, preparing it for cricket, AFL, American Football, rugby league, athletics and football. He has been involved in wicket preparation at all levels of cricket, from grade cricket to Test matches.

Hurstville Oval has been voted the most outstanding ground in Sydney grade cricket numerous times under Lewis’s management, including three seasons in a row from 2014-2016.

Lewis takes over responsibility of the SCG’s famous centre wicket square and the Bulli soil that lies beneath and provides the pitches' unique character from Parker.

Lewis added “I feel very humbled to get the opportunity to take over from Tom Parker at the SCG.

“It is one of the greatest sporting grounds in the world and Tom is a legend in our industry.”

Groves and Lewis start their new roles in November.

The SCG’s curators through history

Ned Gregory - circa 1867 to 1899
Jack Jennings - 1899 to September 1911
Bill Stuart - November 1911 to January 1940
Wally Gorman - January 1940 to 1947
Bill Watt, Asst. Curator 1947, appointed Curator April 1951 to 1958
Athol Watkins - 1958 to 1984
Peter Leroy - 1984 to 1997
Tom Parker - 1997 to November 2017

Image: The SCG hosts the fifth test in the 2010/11 Ashes Series.

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