Pitch Preparation — The basic fundamentals Section — 000 Section — 000 1 Introduction A quality cricket surface allows players 1.1 Introduction to express and develop their skills, A quality cricket surface allows players to express and ensures the cricketer has a rewarding develop their skills, ensures the cricketer has a rewarding experience and that the game of cricket can be enjoyed by experience and that the game of cricket players, and supporters alike across all levels of participation. can be enjoyed by players, and supporters alike across all levels The intention of this manual is to guide the reader in the basic methodologies of pitch preparation. This manual will of participation. be a web-based tool that is regularly updated with video This resourceclips and is pitch a preparation means trends and information.to We will use this resource as a means to connect with the personnel connect withresponsible the for thepersonnel preparation and delivery of our surfaces responsibleat allfor levels ofthe the game preparation across New Zealand. 1.2 What we are looking for in a cricket surface? There is a trend worldwide to move away from low, slow, and deliveryvariable of pitches cricket that provide ‘nothing’ surfaces for either batter or bowler. Such pitches do not help players develop their skills across NZ. and they generally result in tedious cricket. New Zealand cricket (NZC) encourages pitches that provide a fair balance between bat and ball – a pitch where batters feel as though they get value for shots and are confident they can score runs, and bowlers can take wickets. Most cricketers agree that having good pace and bounce is the key to a good match. Seam movement and spin are part of the game for which players need to adjust their game, as is having some natural variation in pace and bounce. But having too much variance in pace or bounce, or having a pitch with very low bounce and slow pace is detrimental to pitch performance and can impact the quality of the game. The NZ Cricket Grounds Warrant of Fitness is outlined below. A “Good” pitch is one that: Encourages both bowlers and batsmen through consistent pace and bounce (not excessive seam movement). A delivery that passes through at stump height should carry through to the wicket keeper on a trajectory that is an upwards motion in ball flight off the pitch. One-Day and T20 pitches: Should be consistent in pace and bounce over the duration of a match allowing equality of conditions for both teams. There should be little or no turn and little or no seam movement. Four-Day pitches: Should provide good pace and bounce with limited seam movement and the pitch wears gradually as the match progresses encouraging spin bowlers and some (but acceptable) variable bounce later in the match. 2 1.0 Overview of cricket blocks 6 2.0 The basic fundamentals 20 Web based references 82 Table of 1.1 Introduction 8 2.1 Base compaction/pre-season rolling 24 Appendix 83 1.2 What does the cricket administrator 8 2.2 Organic matter 25 Appendix 1. Cricket Pitch Monitoring Process 83 want from a cricket pitch? contents 2.3 Block levelness 25 Appendix 2. Pre-season rolling including roller 83 1.3 What does a player want from a pitch? 9 footprint formula 2.4 Full and even grass cover 28 1.4 What does the Turf Manager want from 9 Appendix 3. Turfgrass Disease Management 83 the pitch? 3.0 Rolling techniques 30 Acknowledgments 83 1.5 Examples of match day performance 10 3.1 Points to be aware of when rolling 32 standards Disclaimer 83 3.2 Layering 33 1.6 Common problems experienced with 13 3.3 Roller sizes 34 cricket pitches 3.4 The impact of moisture on rolling 36 1.6.1 Variable pace and/or bounce 13 3.5 Rolling speed 36 1.6.2 Low bounce 13 3.6 Amount of rolling required 36 1.6.3 Slow pace 13 4.0 Preparation techniques 40 1.6.4 Excessive rate of surface 13 deterioration 4.1 Irrigating 42 1.6.5 Excessive cracking 14 4.2 Fertilising 44 1.6.6 Excessive seam and/or spin 14 4.3 Spraying 44 1.6.7 Thin or patchy turf cover 14 4.4 Mowing heights 48 1.6.8 Difficulty in drying 14 5.0 Pitch preparation 50 1.7 Characteristics of cricket pitches 15 5.1 Pitch preparation model 1 — 52 that affect how the pitch plays venue with no grooming kits 1.7.1 Excessive thatch or organic matter 15 5.2 Pitch preparation model 2 — 54 venue that has a reel mower with a groomer kit 1.7.2 Layering 15 6.0 Renovating a cricket pitch 60 1.7.3 Surface levels 15 6.1 What type of renovation is required? 62 1.7.4 Base density 17 6.2 Re-laying the block 63 1.7.5 Grass cover 17 6.3 Autumn or major renovation 66 1.7.6 Moisture management 17 6.4 Minor renovation 67 1.8 Clay properties for NZ soils 18 7.0 Case studies 68 1.9 The turf cover and its role 18 7.1 Phil Stoyanoff, Turf Manager 70 McLean Park and Nelson Park, Napier 7.2 Peter Domigan, former Turf Manager 74 Queenstown Events Centre, Queenstown 7.3 Jared Carter, Turf Manager 78 Bay Oval and Blake Park, Mt Maunganui A “Good” pitch is one that: Encourages both bowlers and batsmen through consistent pace and bounce. 6 Section — 1.0 1.0 Overview of cricket blocks 6 1.1 Introduction 8 Overview of 1.2 What does the cricket administrator 8 want from a cricket pitch? cricket blocks 1.3 What does a player want from a pitch? 9 1.4 What does the Turf Manager want from 9 the pitch? 1.5 Examples of match day performance 10 standards 1.6 Common problems experienced with 13 cricket pitches 1.6.1 Variable pace and/or bounce 13 1.6.2 Low bounce 13 1.6.3 Slow pace 13 1.6.4 Excessive rate of surface 13 deterioration 1.6.5 Excessive cracking 14 1.6.6 Excessive seam and/or spin 14 1.6.7 Thin or patchy turf cover 14 1.6.8 Difficulty in drying 14 1.7 Characteristics of cricket pitches 15 that affect how the pitch plays 1.7.1 Excessive thatch or organic matter 15 1.7.2 Layering 15 1.7.3 Surface levels 15 1.7.4 Base density 17 1.7.5 Grass cover 17 1.7.6 Moisture management 17 1.8 Clay properties for NZ soils 18 1.9 The turf cover and its role 18 Section — 1.0 Overview of cricket blocks 8 Overview of cricket blocks A quality cricket surface allows players 1.1 — Introduction Four-Day pitches: Should provide good pace and bounce to express and develop their skills, A quality cricket surface allows players to express and with limited seam movement and the pitch wears gradually develop their skills, ensures the cricketer has a rewarding as the match progresses encouraging spin bowlers and Most ensures the cricketer has a rewarding experience and that the game of cricket can be enjoyed by some (but acceptable) variable bounce later in the match. experience and that the game of players, and supporters alike across all levels of participation. cricket can be enjoyed by players, and Despite having a common overall goal, it is important cricketers The intention of this manual is to guide the reader in the to recognise that each venue is encouraged to have its supporters alike across all levels basic methodologies of pitch preparation. This manual will own characteristics. This accounts for climatic variations, of participation. be a web-based tool that is regularly updated with video clay types, grass species composition and the individual clips and pitch preparation trends and information. We will preparation techniques of Turf Managers. Having venues agree that use this resource as a means to connect with the personnel with different characteristics helps our players develop responsible for the preparation and delivery of our surfaces and adapt to playing on different surfaces and conditions at all levels of the game across NZ. as they move around the country, overseas and through having good the playing ranks. As long as the pitch is safe and provides 1.2 — What does the cricket administrator conditions where the ball comes on to the bat without want from a cricket pitch? excessive seam movement, spin or variability in bounce, pace and There is a trend worldwide to move away from low, slow, then the pitch should help in the player development variable pitches that provide ‘nothing’ for either batter or pathway and enjoyment of the game. bowler. Such pitches do not help players develop their skills and they generally result in tedious cricket. New Zealand 1.3 — What does a player want from a pitch? bounce is Cricket (NZC) encourages pitches that provide a fair balance A good surface for longer forms of cricket should offer: between bat and ball – a pitch where batters feel as though • Consistent pace; they get value for shots and are confident they can score the key to a • Consistent bounce early in the match (but getting more runs, and bowlers can take wickets. (1) Most cricketers agree variable from late day three and day four onwards); that having good pace and bounce is the key to a good match. Seam movement and spin are part of the game for • Some seam movement but not excessive; good match.