Cricket Square
Hi there,
I have been tasked with creating a brand new grass surface cricket net at my club and am a little lost already.
I assume that i will need to dig down about 3 inches (hard rock a foot down) and that i will need a clay based load(surrey loam i assume).
What i need to know is how much loam do i need, how much this is likey to cost (based on a 3 lane net about 15 yards long) and how do i go about doing it.
Any help would be gratefully accepted,
Many thanks,
Andrew
9 Mar 2004 by sl
soil nets
yes to dig out 2 inches is a opion also the koro machine will do this for u.but it may be poss to do trhis a lot cheaper particular if the area is level.
1stly get a soil sample taken ten match a loam to your soil this would give u a good base.your amienty supplier should be able to do this for u.just quickly remove all vegistation spike and tiller then top dress and seed,fertilizer
get soil tested 1st and go from there
Cricket nets
As I understand it, top class cricket grounds will have grass wickets in their nets that are the same standard as their square. That is, they are constructed in the same way and with the same soil (Surrey loam or whatever) and also maintained the same way - rolling, cutting, scarifying, renovating etc..
The amount of soil you'll need has to take into account the compaction you will apply as you construct it. You should work out the volume you require (depth x width x length) and times this by 1.8 - that's what I was once told but I've never done it in practice. If you use the same soil as on your square then any over can be used in your square's repairs. Mr loammeister is the man to advice here; where are you?
What some grounds also do is have mobile nets that you can use on your square. In this way you could add wickets to your square with the work you are doing.
Having grass nets that are used intensely will leave you with a lot of damage by the crease and the bowlers run ups. Did you consider artificial grass nets?
Cricket Nets
Firstly an apology to Michael, when Michael first came on to ask about Cricket Nets I recommended Pitchcare as a point of reference so that he could get an independent view and the benefit of others' expertise, so there I have declared my interest!
I agree with all you both say, especially the part where you advise about the wear and tear on nets, you obviously have to consider the weekly/ bi-weekly traffic that is far more demanding than that on an ordinary track on a square.
Andrew there is going to be a certain amount of trial and error in doing the work yourself but I'm sure Pitchcare would be interested in you sending in progress reports in the form of mini articles as you progress your project.
The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train
Grass Nets
If you are going to construct three grass nets, personally I would add them on to the edge of the square unless you have a convenient area off the field. If they are on the outfield then i do not see what purpose it serves to have then away from the square but still in the zone of play. If they are on or next to the square then it is easier to treat them like the rest of your wickets.
As there will only be three practice strips you will have to sancton their use carefully! Treat them as you would treat any wicket as regards over use or useage in wet weather! In the past I have allowed usage of grass nets one night a week only and asked them to use the artificial at other times. This works well.
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