The evolution and importance of cricket ground covers: best practices and innovations

Cricket ground covers have come a long way. Traditionally made from heavy canvas, these early covers offered basic protection but were difficult to handle and lacked durability in adverse conditions. 

The Pro-Tech premier flat sheet at The Oval

Over time, materials evolved to PVC, which improved waterproofing and ease of use, followed by polyethylene, which offered further enhancements in strength and reduced weight.

Other innovations, including the ability to inflate the covers to help shed water quickly and specialised coatings have helped further enhance performance by allowing the grass to ‘breathe’ more effectively while covered.

Today, materials like Pro-Tech Cricket Sheets, which represent the next step in pitch protection technology are a huge advantage. Designed specifically for the modern game, made with a base fabric of DTEX nylon, these sheets combine lightweight handling (at only 190g per square metre) with durability and strength.

Perhaps the ultimate in cover innovation is the Hover Cover, a design innovated by Stuart Canvas and now used in many of the world’s leading grounds. The Hover Cover glides to the centre of the pitch on a bed of air enclosed in a PVC skirt, enabling ground staff to cover the pitch and square within three minutes with reduced manpower, saving both time and expense. The ergonomic designs mean that it also provides excellent opportunities for generating sponsorship and advertising revenue – an increasingly important requirement for the county game.

The Hover Cover can be protecting the pitch within three minutes of the start of rain

Why quality covers matter

Covers are an essential tool for any sports ground. Their primary role is to protect the square or court from rain and maintain consistent playing conditions. But, the quality of your cover makes a huge difference.

The Pro-Tech cloth has been engineered with cricket in mind. It’s lightweight for ease of handling, strong and durable to withstand repeated use, and this unique design helps to reduce the risk of disease and turf damage under the cover. Whilst the Pro-Tech sheets can be left down for extended periods without killing the grass, it’s worth noting that the natural environment is always best for turf health. As with any cover, they shouldn’t be left in place unnecessarily for long durations.

The specialised UV Stabilised coating on Pro-Tech covers is designed for the unique demands of cricket, ensuring water rolls off efficiently while shielding the square from excess moisture to make sure play gets straight back on.

Best practices for using and maintaining your covers

To get the most out of your cricket ground covers – and ensure they last for years – here are a few practical guidelines:

• Remove water before lifting: Before pulling covers off the pitch, remove as much water as possible. Pulling covers with standing water can damage the material.
• Protect when not in use: If the covers are left pitchside, use a protective cover to prevent damage from spikes. Tiny pinprick holes from players’ boots are hard to detect but can compromise performance.
• Be wind-wise: Covers can easily turn into sails if mishandled in strong winds. Always secure all eyelets with robust pegs and avoid moving covers during gusty conditions.
• Respect the equipment: Treat covers with care and respect when deploying, storing or transporting them. Poor handling is the most common cause of premature wear.
• Store dry and off the floor: Covers should be stored dry, ideally off the ground on pallets and in a rodent-free indoor space. At the end of the season, clean and dry your covers before storage to maximise longevity.

Pro-tech sheets have been supplied to the majority of county grounds in the UK, including; Lords, Warwickshire CCC, The Oval and Hampshire CCC

About Stuart Canvas

Stuart Canvas, don’t just sell covers – they design and manufacture bespoke solutions tailored to your pitch or court. They offer a wide range of ground cover options, from traditional flat sheets to mobile pitch covers, inflatable covers and hover covers. Their clients benefit from the latest manufacturing technology and expert guidance on the most suitable product for their unique requirements.

They have spent decades protecting cricket pitches from the unpredictable British weather. As the market leader in manufacturing high-quality sports covers to all major UK and European grass events and supplier of pitch protection to all 18 first-class county cricket clubs, they understand both the tradition and the innovation that go into ensuring cricket continues to be played on the best possible surfaces.

Their commitment to quality and innovation means they’re trusted not just by the cricket community, but by the UK’s major grass tennis tournaments too. Their dedication to performance, durability and service is why they remain the top choice for sporting institutions across the country.

When buying covers, it’s important that they meet the specific requirements.

For more information or to speak to our team about custom solutions, visit www.stuartcanvas.co.uk