Summer Sports - Cricket
Tim Packwood, Sarah Addison, Robin Saxton and Martin Watts
from a few interruptions for showers, everything passed off without incident, although Worcestershire lost! By this time, David Leatherdale and
Tim had a better picture of the flood situation at Worcester. The floodwaters had subsided very quickly enabling them to switch the Surrey game back to New Road. I suspect Damon was not unhappy about that decision, but he certainly had a taste of what to expect when preparing for county games, which should stand him in good stead for the future. Next, it was off to New Road to see how
Tim had prepared for the game against Surrey. He was keen to explain that this
Practice nets being taken down
recent flood had only partially affected the square and three areas of the outfield and, with no debris (silts) left once the floodwater had subsided, there was no real issues with cleaning up any deposits on the square and outfield. Fortunately, the pitch allocated for the match against Surrey had not been affected, so it was just a case of letting the water subside so that match preparations could begin. Tim likes to carry out a fourteen day
prep on his wickets, bringing down the grass height in stages from 12mm to 4mm. The amount of rolling and covering will be dictated by the weather and, more importantly, the moisture content of the square. Tim has invested in a moisture probe that records the moisture content of the soil profile. This helps him to
understand the condition of his wickets at any given time, for example, the before and after effects of rolling. The action of rolling squeezes air spaces together, thereby forming fine channels which, through capillary tension, force water out of the soil profile and into the atmosphere.
Early on the second day of the match,
Tim and his the staff were out on the square busily carrying out final preparations, mopping water off the flat sheets, before removing them along with the raised covers. The previous evening they had managed to mow the outfield using their Toro triple mowers - in two directions for best presentation - making best use of a sunny evening. In the final half hour before play was due to start, all that was left to do was
TWENTY Questions
Tim Packwood - would like to lose some weight - that’s after the roast dinner, obviously!
What annoys you the most? People who have been in the job five minutes thinking they know it all.
What would you change about yourself? Be more patient and lose some weight.
Who wouldn’t you like to be? A Birmingham City fan.
Favourite record, and why? Madness - One Step Beyond, it always fills the dance floor.
Who would you choose to spend a romantic evening with? My wife.
Who are you? Tim Packwood, Head Groundsman Worcestershire CCC.
Family status? Married to Emily, with two children, Jodie and Luke.
Who’s your hero and why? Anybody on tour in the Armed services. People complain about work conditions all the time, but I think their job puts it into perspective.
48 PC JUNE/JULY 2012
What is your dream holiday? Any holiday with my family.
If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do? Buy a hover cover!!
If you were to describe yourself as a musical instrument, what would you be and why? A bass drum, because I am big and make myself heard when I need to.
What’s the best advice you have ever been given? Don't put off until tomorrow what can be done today.
What’s your favourite smell? A roast dinner cooking.
What do you do in your spare time? Watch Aston Villa.
What’s the daftest work related question you have ever been asked? “Which pitch are we on today?” when there are two big sheets across the seats at each end of the ground behind the pitch for sightscreens!!!
What’s your favourite piece of kit? My soil moisture kit.
What three words would you use to describe yourself? Enthusiastic, committed, reliable.
What talent would you like to have? Be able to sing.
What makes you angry? People being late for work.
What law/legislation would you like to see introduced? A life sentence means a life sentence.
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