March Cricket Diary 2006

March Cricket Diary

By Laurence Gale MSc

Many grounds around the country will have been affected in one way or another by the recent spate of poor weather, particularly in the north, where many areas received heavy snow showers and prolonged cold spells. This will have certainly put a stop to some early season preparations, like mowing and rolling. With soil temperatures remaining below 8 degrees, you are unlikely to see any significant grass growth taking place until temperature begin to rise.

It may be race against time to get your rolling programme in prior to the season starting, however, if you roll during optimum conditions (see articles on rolling) you should achieve sufficient consolidation for play.

1. Pre-season rolling

2. Rolling

To help kick start the grass into growing you can begin to apply some low Nitrogen based fertilisers. Ideally get your soils sampled for nutrients, organic matter content and soil pH. This information will help decide on the appropriate course of action with regard to applying the correct NPK balance for your site.

The Square

The square must be "squared off" very soon. By using semi-permanent markings, this operation can be made very simple, use the 3,4,5 system to produce your right angles.

Continue to brush daily to remove moisture from the grass surface and also this will allow for a much better standard of cut.

Light scarification or verticutting can be carried out at fortnightly intervals pre season. Removing vertically growing grasses and surface organic matter are always beneficial for the onset of pitch preparation, alongside brushing, this will improve your quality of cut.

The mowing height should be lowered to around 15-18mm by the end of the month on the whole square, remember not to remove more than 1/3 of total grass height in each cut. The less stress that is placed on the grass at this vital time, the better the results further on into the season.

If rolling hasn't already started, then this should be initiated no later than the middle of the month. Roll in as many different directions as possible, but always finish in the direction of play, so timing of this operation is vitally important.

Seeding of the ends where the grass is either weak, sparse or bare can be undertaken, the rise in temperature will help germination, along with germination sheets. Remove the sheets regularly to check for diseases. Remember that without good seed to soil contact the operation is useless.

Fertiliser treatment and turf tonic can be continued in accordance with your annual programme. If you haven't got a fertiliser programme then get your soil tested soon, otherwise how do you know if you are putting on the correct feeds and tonics.

Worm treatments can be carried out, if needed, use carbendazim.

Outfield

Check the outfield for damage, repair any surface damage caused by vehicle wheel tracks or pest damage. Rabbit damage can be quite severe once they become active looking for food. Rabbit scrapes must be repaired and overseeded.

The outfield height of cut should be reduced to around 20-25mm by the end of the month. Harrowing/raking helps restore levels and keep surfaces open.

Some cricket outfields are often maintained as winter pitches, the amount of work required to be carried out, may be determined by whether the outfield is being used for other sports (football/rugby).

As with the square, a fertiliser treatment in accordance with your annual programme.

General

If you have access to a core sampler, then take a core from the edge of a pitch on a length, ie between 2 pitches. What are the roots like, are they white, are they 100mm or deeper, how do you think your square will play this season? Make notes because, without some kind of record, how can you improve?

Your covers - are they ready for action, no repairs needed, all machinery in good order? Remember, covers are used a lot in our climate for protecting the pitch under preparation from both rain AND sun.

Keep an eye open for turf disease. The combination of moist soils and surface moisture on the leaf blade can increase the susceptibility to disease attack. Regular brushing in the mornings to remove the dew off the playing surfaces will reduce the likelihood of disease outbreak.

Ongoing inspection and cleaning of machinery after use. All machinery should now have been returned from any servicing in time for use.

Keep a good supply of materials such as loam and seed at hand for repairs and maintenance. Materials for spring remedial works should be booked to avoid disappointment or delay.

Check structures and netting for any damage.

Most of the tasks detailed can be undertaken within a limited budget. Local conditions and circumstances will need to be taken into account.

If any members are undertaking any specific work not detailed, please let us know by adding a comment in the section below the diary.