Correct maintenance procedures is fundamental for the successful cricket pitch preparation. The following factors, other than using the correct bulli/clay composition,  directly influence the performance of cricket pitch:

i)  Moisture content of bulli

 Vertical cracks develops as the pitch dries. A pitch should never dry out to the extend that the vertical cracks that do develop, extend right through the bulli. Deep drying should rather be accomplished by a well developed root system so that the water can be extracted from the lower layers by root uptake and active grass leaves for transpiration through the leaf system.   Fine water applications over shorter periods, more frequently, is advisable to increase water penetration up to a depth of at least 100mm as water infiltration of clay is very slow at a rate of 2-3mm per hour. It is important that no puddles of water should ever be allowed to form on the surface. Pitches should be constructed with a fall between 1 – 2% , stump to stump, so that Excess water should run off the pitch surface.

ii) Thatch

In normal conditions, grass plants should have enough leaves to produce sufficient sugars. For the plant to grow strong and vigorous, enough light must penetrate the soil surface so that new stems can develop. Mowing must be frequent and no more than 30% of the leaf materials must ever be cut off by a single mowing operation. The mowing height and frequency should be varied during the growing season. Thatch built up must be avoided at all costs. It slows the pace of the pitch. Dead leaf material should be removed regularly by verti-cutting. Care must be taken that dead leaf material does not penetrate the cracks in the pitch profile which can add to pitch layering and prevent the bulli from binding.

iii) Layering

Bounce and pace is reduced by horizontal layering in a pitch. Layering also cause shallow root development which results in uneven moisture distribution. Layering is caused by adding or accumulated organic material in the pitch profile, by using clay with different swell/shrinkage characteristics and by using a vibrating roller which is forbidden for usage on a cricket pitch.

iv) Compaction

Greater compaction leads to higher bounce and pace.  A roller of appropriate weight should be used when the bulli has reached the appropriate moisture content. The pitch must be rolled regularly as the pitch dries out. A heavier roller should be used as the rolling proceeds. The first light roller seal off the surface and the heavier roller compacts the deeper layers of the pitch. Never used a vibrating roller as it causes horizontal layering.

v) Foot holes and bare patches

Foot holes made by bowlers and batsmen and bare patches should be attended to. Lightly sweeping, hollow-tining, topdressing with adequate resting should result into recovery of the grass stems.  If the damages to these areas are too serious, it should be replanted with new grass. Bulli must be excavated to a depth of 50mm, filled with new bulli and re planted with washed grass sods. Bare patches caused by fungal infection should be treated immediately. If the grass does not recover within 3 weeks of treatment, it should be replanted.  

vi) Fertilizer

It is feasible to have a soil test done to determine the fertility shortages in the pitch profile and then to take corrective measures. However, in the absence of the tests, Nitrogen at a rate of at least 6g per m2(20g/ms LAN) every 20 days and potassium 10g/m2 every 20(20g/m2 kcl) can be alternated during the growing season (middle of August to middle April) to the pitch.

vii) Invasion

Invasion of the outfield grass or weeds into the pitch area should be prevented at all cost. Appropriate weed killers should be applied to kill off such invasions.

vi) Post season maintenance

Cricket pitches should not be left unattended during the winter season. The pitches should be thinned out (verticut), hollowtined (compaction braking), fertilized and top dress with new bulli. Hollowtining is not compulsory every year but depends on the condition of the grass after the cricket season.

For a more comprehensive guide to cricket pitch preparation and maintenance please click here.