In the first of a series of features for this eagerly-anticipated season, CricInfo photographer Paul McGregor takes a sidelong look at the preparations, the photocalls, and other activities which punctuate the build-up to a summer of English cricket.

Long before the first ball of the season is sent down in anger, photographers are busy up and down the cricket grounds of England and Wales getting shots at the various county photocalls. The players, with some officials, line up to be photographed with and without proud team sponsors. New uniforms are on display, and almost everyone looks fresh and ready to go.

The St. Lawrence Ground Photo Paul McGregor

The circuit started this week at the lovely St. Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, home of Kent CCC. With its famous lime tree and monuments to cricketing greats of the past, this is a ground steeped in tradition. The spring sunshine that greeted the 20 or so members of the assembled media made the ground a picture in itself.

For the most part, the players welcome the presence of the media at the season's start, and certainly Kent are well-organised and most hospitable. It makes the boredom of travelling on Britain's roads easier to bear. The players line up in traditional style, seniors sitting at the front, the others standing at the back. Everyone tries not to look bored (although not all of them succeed!) and the whole business of team shoots and individual player portraits lasts about three hours.

After this, the local TV crews and radio reporters have a few words with chosen players, and the sponsors get their players dressed up for a few extra shots. I never did think Darren Gough looked right in a kitchen pinafore.

All line up Photo CricInfo

But it's an important event for all concerned. Clubs and media alike will get their images at these events, and they'll often be used during the season. So for the players, it generally means co-operating with the photographer by not pulling a face. Inevitably there's some mischief-making, to distract the photographer's attention.

Darren Gough with the tea Photo Paul McGregor

The images may often be sold through the club shop or for publicity material. For the photographer, having a stock of up-to-date player images is vital. Stock collection can even take priority over gathering early season match action pictures, and anyway some photographers might say that travelling on the motorways is preferable to freezing at an English cricket ground in the spring.

But the prevailing feeling will be one of relief once all 18 photocalls have been covered. It's then that the real match action can start. All we can hope for is fine weather and slow film speeds. For those of us on digital equipment it's all a little easier.

© CricInfo Ltd.