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By Gordon Gill in Cricket on 2nd Mar 2007 12:00
It's that time of year again. Some will have already started, some will question what all the fuss is about, some will want to start only to find that the roller will not, others will not bother at all, some will not even have a roller. Who is right? Perhaps the answer should be, is anybody wrong. There are so many variables. Different soil types and conditions, climatic variations, different size of rollers, is a roller available. Most groundsmen are volunteers and may only be able to roll when time is available, evenings and weekends.
In my role as an ECB Pitch Advisor I see it all, from big heavy bomag types to various forms of pedestrian to not having one at all.
One thing I am absolutely sure of, it has to be done! But how much? And for how long? Generally I would say the more time spent pre-season rolling while the soil is moist the more consistent most wickets will be. But for how long? Who knows!! Anybody who uses the P.C. web site will know every individual will have their own theories, dependent on their own experiences.
The general view taken is, if it works for you why change it. My only challenge to that statement is, if you never experiment how will you know if you are achieving the optimum result.
At the present time, Cranfield University is carrying out ongoing trials into the science of rolling clay soils that are used in cricket wicket construction. Early indicators regarding drum size and time spent rolling have emerged. It must be remembered that these trials are taking place indoors and all our squares are outside laid bare to the elements, so any results can only ever be guidelines.
However, scientifically proven guidelines are at least a step in the right direction in are never ending quest to produce the best surface to play this wonderful game on.
When do we start? There are two terms used, pre-season and spring rolling. Is there any difference? To be honest, I am not sure. My view is that the first class game carry out pre-season rolling, because they often need grass wickets ready to practice on during March.
Many will have carried out four weeks rolling by the time you read this article. Hence pre-season. However, these will still contain significant moisture. In the recreational game, wickets are not usually required until mid April, so most of us have another couple of weeks to prepare, hence Spring rolling.
I like to start my programme of rolling when spring has sprung I rarely start until the third week in February, But this can be as late as mid March. Ground and weather conditions will always dictate. When do we finish? As soon as we feel we have reached maximum consolidation. Some years that can be as early as the end of March, others the end of April.
A ball park programme will be as follows. From 1st March, roll the square daily for a period of approx six weeks. Bearing in mind that there will be wet days, family days and many other reasons why a daily roll might not take place. By mid April the square should have been passed over at least thirty times. I usually find this acceptable, but occasionally I may do a few more passes.
Many clubs will only have the option of one roller, some may have a choice. The key to success is how you utilise what you have. A 30" or 36" mower is an ideal first roller. Weighing approx 5 cwt it is perfect for the first 5 or 6 passes of the square. Adding a trailing seat for another 3 or 4 passes can be very beneficial.
If you do not have a heavy mower, you may have to make do with a small pedestrian garden roller, even your small mower, with a weight in the grass box is better than nothing.
If you then have access to a roller of around one ton in weight, use it for another dozen passes or so. Finally we get to the heaviest roller. This should be unballasted initially, adding a little extra ballast, after every couple of passes. Every pass of the square I make, I do in a different direction, ie both diagonals and across the line of play. I do not roll in the line of play, until the roller is fully ballasted. This is usually about the time that I am preparing my first wickets of the season.
What is the ideal ground condition? Science will eventually tell us. Whether we shall be able to measure for optimum conditions remains to be seen. I believe the S.T.R.I. will be offering a service that will inform us of when we have achieved maximum consolidation, this will of course come at a cost, but could be very useful.
I have not met anyone yet who admits to enjoying spring rolling, so any measure that tells us that we have done enough will be very welcome. I have no desire to spend a moment longer rolling than I need to. In the meantime we all have come to rely on experience and gut feeling.
This takes years to gain, and even then there is a certain amount of guesswork involved. However I firmly believe in a couple of golden rules. Never put a roller on the square if when walking on it, your foot brings water to the surface, and never try to do too much rolling in one day. In the early stages at least, I never roll the square more than twice in one day.
Remember that we want to consolidate the square, not make a pudding of it. In the later stages, as the square gets harder you may be able to make several passes, providing there is warm sunshine, a breeze blowing and you either have several volunteers to help, or that you have plenty of time with nothing else better to do.
All rollers weigh more heavy on the ground the slower they travel, so towards the end of your programme the roller should be travelling quite slowly. Never ever use any vibrating facility that a roller has. In fact disconnect it, it will only weaken any breaks or separations that exist within the profile, leading to problems with consistent pace and bounce as the soil profile dries.
Poorly maintained squares, that have surface thatch, thick fibre, light soils or layering will very rarely improve with lots of rolling. Trying to roll thick thatch and fibre will nearly be a waste of time, as the surface will only spring back, just as a sponge would, should you roll over one
For anyone who has read this far and is confused then I apologise, but I am not surprised. As I stated earlier, there are so many variables. It can be a very difficult subject to get a fix on. However, I am convinced of one thing, you have to do it, it has to be done. Happy rolling and enjoy a good 2007 season.
Read more articles in Cricket,
by Gordon Gill
or from March 2007.
There are 23 comments on this article
19 Feb 2007 by bluenose70
Hi,
As this is my very first season as a volunter groundsman this is the advice I have been given and I am taking.
This article is most valuable and should be heeded by all who read it.
Well Done
Steve
19 Feb 2007 by Philmort
Working for one pitch advisor and with another on four different squares and also a grass practice net area, all within 30 mins drive of Gordon's Bath ground, I can fully endorse the 'differences' viewpoint! Each of the 5 areas is very different although the top dressing applied in recent years is the same. They range from good club standard to comprehensive school, with the latter having only voluntary work done by the local club to bring up to a reasonable standard.
Each one will be suitable for rolling at different times and only one has been workable before now at the time of writing, having been cut with the Allett mower with seat roller. They have had more mowing than would have been the case in previous years as the grass has barely stopped growing this 'winter,' (the snow just about missed us here) so have had a little more consolidation from the cylinder mower during the drier spells. It will be fascinating to see how each develops as 'Spring' approaches, with evapo-transpiration rates hopefully balancing precipitation soon!
Proud to serve grassroots cricket
19 Feb 2007 by mario
Here in Aberdeen we are awaiting the snow! Usually we get a week of it around this time. At the moment we are having +7c temperatures during the day but the windchill is taking it down to a meagre 3 degrees.
At night we have had and are still expecting ground frosts.
Bootom line is, that the square is capable of withstanding a roller on it, but with the grass under stress because of the frosts and generally low temperatures, I always prefer to wait until the soil temperature is on the increase.
Unlike the South, our season doesn't start until the last weekend of April........thank goodness!
I know no boundaries.
21 Feb 2007 by Richardb
very good article Gordon 1 question do you fertilize before you start to roll?
25 Feb 2007 by Grassman2011
Richardb,
Usually the square will have had a feed prior to rolling taking place, but i have also fed during the rolling programme if rain is forcast.
25 Feb 2007 by paul baines
what are the best ways of curing 1. thatch and 2. moss?
the have been a problem to us the last few seasons
25 Feb 2007 by Rizla
it would be nice to start spring rolling ,been to wet here in Norfolk 
Fat old Sun
27 Feb 2007 by Grassman2011
paulbaines,
Can i please suggest that you speak with your county cricket boards pitch advisor.
Thatch should be and can only be attended to at the time you carry out your autumn renovations.
Your comment suggests to me that this may not have been done properly and that some expert advice is needed.
Rizla,
I expect most of us are in a similar position as yourself. As i say, you just have to be patient and wait until the conditions improve. Now whether that occurs in a week or two or another month, who knows.
28 Feb 2007 by MikePorter
G'Day!!!
Good article!! , interesting reading, There are definatley many different vairables that play part to any Cricket maintence regime, rolling included!
Down here in New Zealand we are nearing the end of our cricket season, so Autum removations are very much on the mind.
However I'm currently involved with constructing a new first class block , so have had a roller (7ton)parked under my but for approx 40 hrs week for the last 2 weeks !! Brings a new meaning to Bordom!!!
From my experience of preseason rolling, we very much dertemine soil condition as a major factor to when the correct time to jump on and roll. How long we roll for during our pre-season roll depends on the workload at the time , but usually will try to spend approx 12 hrs for a club block or 20 -40 hrs for a first class block (budget permitting) During Pre-season rolling we will vary the angle of rolling direction by aprox 45 degres each pass over the block ( simalr to grooving during renovation). Rolling at the slowest speed possible.
I ideally try to time the pre-season roll prior to any spring renovation programe. This can be tricky at times and can make harder work for grooving tines come renovation time.
It was very intersting to see some images of rollers used in the UK from this article, It seems that we may use slightly larger rollers down here, again depending on clay/soil types used .
28 Feb 2007 by Anthony Asquith
Mike
Can you forward me your email address to northernstc@hotmail.com please as i've recieved an interesting employment offer in NZ, it would be great to speak with you!
cheers
28 Feb 2007 by tom4000
Hi Gordon,
We have a historic property in France and are very interested in accheiving the "Stately Home Look" for our lawn. We would like to cut down to around 15-mm with ourcylinder mower. I'm not sure if rolling is desirable outside a sports field and would like to hear your thoughts.
Please contact me by phone (+332 23 55 39 44) or by e-mail bellproperties@msn.com
Thank you,
Tom Bell
28 Feb 2007 by AnthnyDgg
Gordon
It must be remembered that these trials are taking place indoors and all our squares are outside laid bare to the elements, so any results can only ever be guidelines.
Not all together true Gordon as you heard Alex say and show you slides of the square they have constructed outside.
Well you said not to keep ringing you!
28 Feb 2007 by someblokecalleddave
Good article, I've got a tiny piece of grass in front of one set of stumps that I'm trying to look after and I'm gald you mentioned people that are trying to do this with a hand roller cos that's me and I'm only doing it for my kids and a bunch of us that use it for cricket practice.
Looking at it recently what with the rain I figured that it be best left as it's saturated at the moment.
Yeah good article useful for me and the reason I signed up to the website.
Cheers
Dave
28 Feb 2007 by Grassman2011
ANTHNYDGG,
Wayne,
Nice to see that you are prepared to comment. You kindly forgot to mention that when i wrote the article i believe that we were both unaware that Alex had constructed some grass wickets.
Now you had better behave yourself, or i shall be duty bound to tell everybody the problem you had with easyjet last Monday evening at Newcastle. OOPS!!!!!.
1 Mar 2007 by Neil Dixon
The presentation that Alex Vickers made at the ECB Conference was very good and an insight into the Technicalaties of rolling, However, the one thing that wasnt mentioned ( unless i didnt hear it) was to how the wickets actually performed under match conditions??
Surely how the wicket plays for both sides is the most important aspect, not what the " facts and figures" say of 2 yrs research??
I am sure everyone who has prepared a cricket wicket will know, some wickets may look fantastic but play poorly, and some naff looking wickets that play very well.
1 Mar 2007 by bill kelso
Interesting article. My main problem is the outfield. Basically the ground is between a canal at the top and a river at the bottom. The canal has a slight leak and the top of the ground gets very boggy at this time of year. However the square remains relatively unaffected due to an old mill culvert between the boggy bit and the square. The water runs off to a small stream leaving the square relatively unaffected. I can get a mower on the square to do the initial cutting but I can't get the roller down because of the boggy ground. It generally wont be dry enough until the beginning of April. Once I get on there it is rolled at every opportunity. The point of all this is despite the late? rolling we have had several games over the last few seasons where the total innings is in excess of 500 in 45 over matches. In fact the bowlers complain the wickets are too good.
Perhaps I'm the exception to the rule but I find rolling very stress relieving since in my job I drive a lot and that does send your stress level up.
1 Mar 2007 by Grassman2011
Rodqom,
Like i said, whatever works for you. Would you roll earlier if you get the roller to the square earlier? and how much drier might the square be at the beginning of April?
1 Mar 2007 by bill kelso
Probably a light roller. I'm actually working on something now involving 56lb weights on a tray over a roller towed by a hefty old mower I have just acquired. I have been advised that the weight should be gradually increased.
The square, with any luck, should be reasonably dry by the beginning of April, dependent upon the weather of course. It does tend to dry fairly quickly due in some part to the height above the river. We have been able to conclude matches on a rainy Saturday when adjacent clubs have had to call theirs off simply because the outfield drains so well.
2 Mar 2007 by gaztop
What a great site..and a very good article to boot..why have I not found this place before...I have been groundsman/wicket man for a few years now..I started by turning out to help the then groundsman on a fri night, pre Saturday game day...And with what I learnt from Trev and picked up myself I have developed a system that seemed to work..Only now my club have won the 1st div 2 years in a row and have failed to make the next grade up due in part to the wicket(despite good scores most weekends being scored on it)I know that the main problem is lack of time spent (pre/post and even during the season)as there are fewer and fewer players with enough experience willing to give time to the wicket..And sadly few without the experience willing to learn..do other cl;ubs suffer with this problem? I wopuld guess they do..if only I had time to roll the wicket once a day never mind twice in the spring..our sytem of blitzing it over the easter weekend seems just about the only option as it's when we can get the hands down to help..Reading your article though has given me some inincouragement to make more effort this spring..I guess I need to go and check the roller will start...mind you I fear it's still probably too wet to start ..thanks(I'm now off to search through your other articles herein..Gaz Top Lincoln
3 Mar 2007 by TIMS3091
Good article i rolled on the 1st Febuary have not been able to do so since mainy because outfield is to wet,need a week of dry weather to start again.
26 Mar 2007 by bill kelso
Just an update. Must have been a dry winter. Can't say I've really noticed. Got started last Sunday (25th.). Square cut and first roll. Now have to press gang local members to volunteer to turn up and give square a roll. Roller serviced, fresh oil, injector cleaned etc. and started second time. A truly wonderful afternoon. Isn't it amazing how the weather seems to change when the clocks do, or is that my imagination again?
26 Mar 2007 by bill kelso
Just an update. Must have been a dry winter. Can't say I've really noticed. Got started last Sunday (25th.). Square cut and first roll. Now have to press gang local members to volunteer to turn up and give square a roll. Roller serviced, fresh oil, injector cleaned etc. and started second time. A truly wonderful afternoon. Isn't it amazing how the weather seems to change when the clocks do, or is that my imagination again?
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It's that time of year again. Some will have already started, some will question what all the fuss is about, some will want to start only to find that the roller will not, others will not bother at all, some will not even have a roller. Who is right? Perhaps the answer should be, is anybody wrong. There are so many variables. Different soil types and conditions, climatic variations, different size of rollers, is a roller available. Most groundsmen are volunteers and may only be able to roll when time is available, evenings and weekends.
Many clubs will only have the option of one roller, some may have a choice. The key to success is how you utilise what you have. A 30" or 36" mower is an ideal first roller. Weighing approx 5 cwt it is perfect for the first 5 or 6 passes of the square. Adding a trailing seat for another 3 or 4 passes can be very beneficial.
