Summer Sports - Cricket
“Keep up with technology, listen to others but, at the end of the day, make your own decisions”
Stuart Kerrison addresses the delegates on his square
It was good to see someone not only trying to raise the profile of groundstaff, but also trying to bring modern working practices into the Industry. Andy then went on to explain the
problems in improving the playing surface at Hove. Once, Hove had the reputation of having some of the more bouncy and pacey tracks around. But, over more recent times, this was not so. Andy’s recipe for improvements has been to start a planned campaign of relaying the pitches with a consistent loam. This work is being undertaken by Andy and his team themselves as he feels he has more control over the end result. It may take a bit longer than getting outside contractors in, but he feels it is the way to go for him. This “be it on your own head” thread comes across as a message from all experienced groundsman it seems to me. Yes, keep up with technology, listen to others but, at the end of the day, make your own decisions and go for it. If it all goes thrupennny bits up and it wasn’t your idea, you will be blamed anyway! I think this is right, show me a man who has never made a mistake and I will show you either a liar or someone who has done nothing!
Andy said that he is planning on bringing in his newly constructed tracks over a staged two year period, so watch this space.
The final presentation was by Chris
Wood, ECB Head Pitch Inspector and Keith Exton on aeration and taking it forward. The much awaited Cranfield report on spiking was mentioned by Chris, and he said that the report itself had been finished but was in the process of being put into a workable format for publication.
Delegates view the Dennis Sisis equipment on display
The history of cricket square aeration and the reasons for it were described, from the often criticised Patterson drum spiker to modern day vertical action aerators. Some interesting pictures of results of deep spiking were shown, with some very impressive root growth. There were also pictures of disasters caused by poor and inappropriate use of modern equipment! Keith explained his thoughts on aeration and how, for many years, he has believed that solid tine spiking with thinner tines is the way to go. Keith not only spikes in this manner in the winter, but also in the season! Keith again emphasised the thought that he has always tried to think “outside the box”. It was also fairly obvious that Keith is
very experienced and skilled in this process which, obviously to me, plays a large and vitally important part in the success of such methodology. I can understand how getting down further
than the normal three inches or so one achieves with pedestrian vertical spikers makes sense, even on an average club square.
The importance of generating good and deep root growth was emphasised, as this not only helps to maintain a solid profile but also helps to develop a strong and healthy sward. Personally, would I try this deep spiking on my square? Well, it seems to me three factors are important. One, could I afford it? Two, would my square’s profile take it? And three, could I find someone locally, skilled enough to do a good job? Food for thought, though. The afternoon session ended up with a question and answer session.
Then Stuart put fifty pence in the meter and turned on the floodlights to start the evening session. We went outside to the square and Stuart talked us through the make up of each and every one of his tracks. It made interesting listening to hear him talk us through the differing profiles of the square. I must say it looked
ECB’s Chris Wood with Stuart 96 PC DECEMBER/JANUARY 2012
Having a look in the shed
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