Sculptor hopes to create world’s biggest cricket wickets from giant firs (2025)

Andy Burgess is using vast Douglas Firs for his world record attempt.

Standing at a record-breaking 8.5-metres, this towering creation is Andy Burgess’ most ambitious project yet.

The sculptor is attempting to carve the world’s biggest wicket from colossal four-tonne Douglas Fir logs.

And when he’s finished, they’ll be burnt to create the world’s biggest ashes in a playful tribute to cricket’s greatest rivalry.

The stumps are being created for Toft Cricket Club, in Knutsford, Cheshire, where the community has rallied to fundraise £100,000 for a new pavilion.

Cheshire chainsaw artist Andy is bidding to break the world record with his latest creation.

“The club came up with this wacky idea and I couldn’t say no. I said ‘I know I can do this’ because I’ve got this great team behind me,” he says.

The current largest wickets stood at 8 metres - a record held by the stumps in Cootamundra, New South Wales - part of Australia’s famous ‘Big Things’ attractions.

“This has been one of the most exciting - and technically challenging - pieces I’ve ever worked on,” Andy says.

“With the sheer height and weight of the stumps, it’s hands down the biggest project I’ve taken on in terms of scale and logistics.”

Andy is well-known for his monumental wood sculptures - including The Green Man at Didsbury’s Parsonage Gardens. Over the years he’s crafted bespoke sculptures for major brands like Nando’s and showcased his skills on TV shows including The Alan Titchmarsh Show.

But the vast wickets are set to be a true showstopper. And the huge heavy-duty equipment required to manoeuvre and mill the enormous 11-metre logs means one wrong move could prove fatal.

“One mistake and you could kill yourself,” Andy says. “There are elements of the next stage, the shaping and chainsaw work, that are difficult but the most dangerous work has already happened.

“The key thing was to secure the logs. Because they’re not the kind of things you can just pick up in B&Q.”

Andy has been working with three trusted tree experts to carve each stump from colossal four-tonne Douglas Fir logs, sourced from a pre-felled site in Dorset - a project that’s taken several weeks to complete.

He has been helped by volunteers, tradespeople and local club members.

“It’s the biggest thing I’ve worked on,” he says.

“I’ve sometimes had jobs requiring a scaffold but it’s something I’ve been able to manoeuvre on my own. This scale is a huge jump and hopefully we’ll break the record.”

The wickets are set to be officially unveiled over the May Day weekend at Toft Cricket Club, during one of Knutsford’s busiest local celebrations.

The stumps will remain on display throughout the summer before being ceremonially burned at the Local Scouts Bonfire Night in November, creating the ‘world’s biggest ashes’ in a tribute to The Ashes.

Andy adds: “I’ve lived in Cheshire all my life, so to create something this monumental for my own community, and for the cricket club where my daughter plays, has been a real honour.”

Nigel Muirhead, chairman of Toft Cricket Club, says the pavilion is a local hub and a revamp is aimed at building something for future generations.

“We wanted to create something truly memorable - and these giant stumps are a symbol of the huge role cricket plays not just here in Knutsford, but in the lives of millions of fans around the world,” he says.

“We’re hugely grateful for the time, energy and craftsmanship Andy and the team have poured into this project.

“Thanks to Andy and the brilliant support we’ve had locally, our campaign has launched with a record-breaking statement.”

The club is inviting anyone interested to visit the stumps, or contribute to the fundraising efforts by clicking on the Crowdfunder page.