Deep Drill passes the
TEST
Ecosolve’s deep drill aeration has worked wonders on tired or problem cricket squares. PENNY COMERFORD speaks to the ECB and some satisfied groundsmen.
BEING such a long established and traditional game is great for the sport of cricket. It is part of our heritage and has the most loyal of supporters, but its longevity can cause problems for grounds staff who are managing squares which were built decades ago and are seeing climate changes and usage which could never have been predicted. Bishop's Stortford Cricket Club is
proud to have probably the oldest square in the country. “It was built 184 years ago and has never been relaid,” says groundsman Andy Gilder. “To say it was tired was an understatement and previous groundsmen had tried to inject bounce and pace in a variety of ways, including the Shattermaster and slitting, but with no success,” said Andy. Asking around in the industry, he heard good reports about Ecosolve’s Deep Drill aerator and commissioned it for Bishop’s Stortford three years ago and is to have treatment number three this November. “I’m delighted with the results, it’s been a successful venture to promote deeper
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root growth which has had the effect of binding together the different layers of soil to bring the bounce back into the turf. The average club bowlers like it but it was really great to see what county players such as Alex Tudor got out of it this year.”
Andy chose the end of November as the prime month for Deep Drill, when the top dressing and reseeding had finished. New soil was integrated with the old and moisture had softened the soil enough so that the drills could penetrate effectively. Three years ago the aerator was equipped with 12 millimetre drills that went down to 10 inches and last year they went to 8 inches. This year’s aeration will go to six inches. “After this we’ll probably have a year off and start again,” said Andy, “I’d rate the Ecosolve team and technical director Bretton King very highly in terms of advice, service and results.”
SO what is the Deep Drill aerator? The self-propelled, light footprint machine
gently removes soil from a grid of holes which can be drilled to a depth of up to 18 inches in exceptional circumstances, relieving compaction and encouraging deeper rooting. Its ‘floating’ drill head follows the contours of the playing surface, ensuring consistent drilling depth without damaging it and, unlike some other techniques, there is so little disruption in terms of uneven surfaces, rippling or subsidence, that the improved square will be playable the following season without time-consuming follow-up treatment. With slightly different equipment it is possible for holes to be backfilled with loam. And the Deep Drill is being seen in high places! This autumn, following good results on several wickets three years ago, Trent Bridge has commissioned treatment for the 50 year old Test wicket itself. “The wickets Ecosolve drilled three years ago are the best on the whole square,” said head groundsman Steve Birks and had earned very good pitch marks in the ECB’s
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