Summer Sports - Cricket
together, they also go deeper so, when you do pitch preparation, the deeper roots actually draw the moisture through and dry the pitch out more evenly.
I have looked at Keith’s programme and, to my mind, he has developed a perfectly sound aeration environment. Time will tell. With his methodology, I would even seriously start looking at having a heavier ‘heavy’ roller as part of my armoury. Put a really heavy roller on (possibly up to 4 tonne) as and when the conditions are right, then continue with a standard one until the pitch no longer needs it. That’s where I think the future might lie.
Of course, all this is leaning away from the recreational game. I used to visit recreational clubs to give out advice and I would look in their sheds. As long as they had a pitch mower, a heavy roller and a scarifier, technically they could produce a decent pitch. It’s down to correct knowledge and time.
And it’s not just about what’s on the surface, it’s about what’s underneath. We have developed a really good band of contractors now, and they really know their stuff, so you can get them to do it really quickly; in a day in fact - it used to take me weeks on my hands and knees - then you know that it has been done properly.
Outside of thatch, I think years of over application of topdressing is one of the biggest killers of bounce on squares, and a waste of money.
I really do wish that I had the knowledge I have now back when I was in village and club cricket, but then hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn’t it? With this game, truly the older you get the wiser you get.
PC: Thank you for your time. Strictly coaching
A few words from England batting coach, Mark Ramprakash
PC: How is it going for you at this new facility?
MR: Very, very well. I have to admit I didn’t know too much about it before I came up to Loughborough, and I was very sceptical, given how difficult the weather can be at this time of year. But it has worked a treat. We’ve actually got some very willing bowlers who are happy to come out and bowl on grass because it is so much more forgiving than bowling indoors. So, that has been fantastic, and it’s allowed the batsmen to bat outside.
In terms of the two pitches, the one with the pace bowlers on had pace and bounce and moved about a bit, which is great. We have also had a very dry net which has been good and produced plenty of turn for the spinners, which is excellent, as that is what we want our batsmen to be exposed to - the turning ball - so they have to work on their footwork.
To be outside at this time of year is pretty amazing and the facilities have been very, very good.
PC: Do you wish you had facilities like these when you were playing?
MR: Absolutely, because when you go away on tour often, preceding that, is a period at home and, in England, we could never practise outside. So, if you can practise outside before you go away on
tour, of course you are acclimatised so much quicker. So these guys nowadays don’t know how lucky they are.
PC: I have spoken to one or two of the bowlers and they like the way they are running up on grass.
MR: Yes, it’s more forgiving for them and also more realistic because, as with the batsman, the odd ball will seam about and there might be a little bit of indifferent bounce, which is good. I think that is what playing outside is all about. So batsmen have to cope with that, and I think it has been a really big test.
PC: I suppose it also raises the mindset, doesn’t it?
MR: Yes, if you bat in indoor nets they are often very artificial, so the fact you are outside means the guys are more into a match mentality.
Grass Seed Mixtures for Sports & Amenity Professionals
All MM mixtures are Headstart®
Rothwell, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN7 6DT Tel: 01472 371471
amenity@limagrain.co.uk www.limagrain.co.uk/mm
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2014 PC 41
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