Summer Sports - Cricket
M
any of the county cricket clubs have undertaken major ground improvements in recent years, which began with the pioneering work on the
outfield drainage system at Lord’s back in 2003. So successful was this that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took the decision to improve the outfield drainage at other senior county cricket grounds.
The work centred mainly on the complete refurbishment of the outfields, which saw the installation of new primary and secondary drainage systems, along with pop-up watering systems and new floodlights. The work was carried out to combat ‘rain stopped play’ when, often, standing water would delay the restart of the game long after the clouds had rolled by, and frustrated spectators were sat in glorious sunshine watching the groundstaff mopping up. Two clubs also took the opportunity to address other significant weather related problems, with Derbyshire and Lancashire turning their squares through ninety degrees to combat that other well known cricket phrase ‘sunshine stopped play’ - the setting sun causing problems at both grounds during evening games - whilst others took a couple of tracks out of play each year, on a rolling programme, to rebuild them.
One of the newer Test grounds, Glamorgan’s SWALEC Stadium (aka Sophia Gardens), had already had new outfield drainage installed but, on his arrival at the club three years ago, Head Groundsman, Keith Exton, wanted to concentrate on relaying the square, a task that his predecessor, Len Smith, had also wanted to undertake, but the finances were not available at the time. The ground had already undergone significant improvements to the off field facilities with new stands, floodlights and corporate hospitality areas. Now, three years down the line, Keith has the opportunity to begin the major refurbishment works on the square. The
initial project involved digging out two tracks and replacing with new loam. However, this would not be possible because of the levels of the square. So, it was agreed that a total of fourteen pitches had to be laser graded to allow for the two new pitches to blend perfectly and, as this project is for two new pitches every year for a five year period, levels would not be a problem at any further stage of the project. So, why now? Glamorgan’s tracks were
renowned for their slow pace and bounce and, with televised Test and One Day International cricket now a regular occurrence, this simply was not acceptable. Even so, creating a brand new playing surface, and effectively getting rid of fifty years of history and many layers of differing loam, was a brave move by the committee and the head groundsman.
Even prior to this work being carried out, there had been a significant improvement to the square during Keith’s time. Pitch markings improved and many of the players noted a marked improvement in pace and bounce. Keith had always been confident that his maintenance practices would achieve this, up to a point. “From the day I started, I knew I would be under the spotlight,” said Keith. “I needed to improve the condition of the sward and to get those layers pinned together, and get a deeper rooting system; presentation goes a long way to setting the standards.” “More attention to detail was needed.
We were now a ground that was fully in the media spotlight, with all its inherent dissection of the playing surface. Glamorgan was no longer a little club tucked away in a small corner of South Wales. Don’t forget, our first Test match was the first of the 2009 Ashes series, and the first ever ‘home’ test to be staged outside England. They don’t come any bigger than that, and everything had to be right. And I mean, everything!” In the end, after Monty Panasar and
James Anderson had secured an unlikely draw, Glamorgan were roundly praised for their hospitality, whilst the field of play did not suffer too much at the hands of Botham, Atherton et al. Even though, deep down, I knew it was not good enough,” admits Keith He was able to improve the pace and bounce by carrying out techniques he has been using since the late 1980s. “More emphasis was put on the
preparation and repair of the pitches. I knew the only way I was going to improve the bounce and pace of the square was to introduce more loam.” The only times he was able to achieve this was during pitch repairs and at the end of the season, with a robust renovation programme. “Way back in the 1980s I was looking at new ways to improve the condition of my squares. Aeration was becoming a popular maintenance operation and, with the arrival on the scene of the vertidrain, I decided to try it out on some of my squares.” “At first, I caused myself no end of
problems, often ripping great lumps out of the surface but, as time has passed, I have perfected a technique that serves me well. I can now spike in the height of the playing season, down to a depth of 125mm, without disturbing the playing surface.” Keith now uses a Weidenmann XF solid tine spiker. “The combination of the speed, tine size (9mm and 13mm diameter), and controlling the moisture content in the top 50mm, is the key to its success. I now regularly use this technique to repair pitches.” Once a pitch is finished, Keith will water it, scarify to clean out, leaving grooves for the new seed - Limagrain MM50 - which is worked into the pitch. Germination sheets will be used to speed up germination and, once there is some decent grass showing, he will then deep spike (125mm at 50mm x 50mm centres) and topdress with Ongar loam, which is then worked into the profile and down
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012 PC 83
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