Good clear presentation. Thank you. For hot hot days maybe a freshen up water day b4 match or cover the pitch say at noon till 3pm or hot hot hours with hessian and then light water that hessian. Thursday Friday too if hot hot and pitch is ready early. Your clipping throw down action just like my son. Question. If we have potential cracks beginning to show say Tuesday can we do a little soil filling before watering and rolling in some clippings if needed?
Thank you Kevin, much appreciated. I will use a hessian through most stages of pitch preparation in southern states due to extended daylight hours, at this level in Darwin the competition has only just moved to a requirement for covers this season, so will be using a hessian minimise dew late in the week. With the cracking, I water heavily with automated irrigation Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night so expect no visible cracking when starting preparation. Unless the deep/wide cracking has started to cause undulations along the those lines when prepared. I would first up or add extra watering times before adding soil to see if this arrests the issue. I wouldn't add clay to any deep cracking for a pitch that is being prepared for a fixture in the coming week.
not sure your location or situation, but watering and cutting depends on a few factors. In Darwin, generally have the pitch irrigated nightly from Sunday night through to Tuesday night, and then will start the pitch late Wednesday where I may handwater if the top is too dry. Depending on whether the pitch is first or second week use, will determine a cut in or not, I generally cut in at around 8-10mm and only lower than that if the grass density is thick/thatchy. I try to cut the square twice a week, which usually keeps it in check and prevents the couch from seed heading.
@@johnflynn910 our pitch fell apart due to it "drying out" about an inch deep of the top broke up and left big holes on the bowling crease and back foot landing area, the groundsman seems to not be interested in looking after it any more and is just rolling a heap of clippings into the deck, its made our block like a goat track now
@@dsmith9103 sounds like yoi might not be getting consistent watering from Sunday to Wednesday. Need to ensure it gets that base moisture back in the profile after the completion of play. This is normally 20 to 30 mins a night until prep starts again aka I work on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday night with automated irrigation. Additionally there maybe a thatch or layering issue that you might want to get some core samples taken.
@@dsmith9103 feel free to send direct message them to me on the perfect pitch fb page or insta accounts mate. All wickets are recoverable in my opinion
Good clear presentation. Thank you. For hot hot days maybe a freshen up water day b4 match or cover the pitch say at noon till 3pm or hot hot hours with hessian and then light water that hessian. Thursday Friday too if hot hot and pitch is ready early. Your clipping throw down action just like my son. Question. If we have potential cracks beginning to show say Tuesday can we do a little soil filling before watering and rolling in some clippings if needed?
Thank you Kevin, much appreciated. I will use a hessian through most stages of pitch preparation in southern states due to extended daylight hours, at this level in Darwin the competition has only just moved to a requirement for covers this season, so will be using a hessian minimise dew late in the week. With the cracking, I water heavily with automated irrigation Sunday, Monday and Tuesday night so expect no visible cracking when starting preparation. Unless the deep/wide cracking has started to cause undulations along the those lines when prepared. I would first up or add extra watering times before adding soil to see if this arrests the issue. I wouldn't add clay to any deep cracking for a pitch that is being prepared for a fixture in the coming week.
nice practical work experience
Can I actually buy that bat being used in the background? Sounds amazing. Please let me know.
will check and see haha
In the week running up to a Saturday game.
From the Monday, do you cut every second day. Do you cut gradually shorter? Do you water a bit ecery day.
not sure your location or situation, but watering and cutting depends on a few factors. In Darwin, generally have the pitch irrigated nightly from Sunday night through to Tuesday night, and then will start the pitch late Wednesday where I may handwater if the top is too dry. Depending on whether the pitch is first or second week use, will determine a cut in or not, I generally cut in at around 8-10mm and only lower than that if the grass density is thick/thatchy. I try to cut the square twice a week, which usually keeps it in check and prevents the couch from seed heading.
Tracked up some mud there. Mow dry. Wet clip. Not sure of your weather conditions but in the heat even if it's dry gives a better wicket.
Barrels were clean mate, so pretty happy with that seal. Got minimal suitable clippings to hide the colour from the low spot.
Hey how many hours a day should we use a heavy roller for making a bouncy pitch? if we only use the play weekends
What weight roller do you have and are you getting a lot compaction from rolling?
We have 1-ton roller; how many hours of rolling in a day to produce bouncy wicket?
They would pay the groundsman so much they would only use 2 peice leather balls It's happened in a certain cricket league.
Why have you flicked the clippings back onto wicket?
Stops the clay sticking to the barrel of the roller, allows the pitch to dry out evenly and holds the exposed clay/foot holes together better.
What type of grass is used for cricket pitch
Couch Grass is the best for Australian or warm climate conditions.
How many hours of rolling would you do? Over how many sessions? Do you wet it to roll every time through the week?
Generally 2-5 hours from Wednesday to Saturday morning. In 20 to 30 minute sets, three to four per day and then a small roll on Saturday morning.
volume keeps going low when walks away from camera but still interesting stuff
What do you recommend for Brisbane Pitches that are dry, given your in Darwin, conditions are similar I would guess
Very similar mate, starting a wicket on a Wednesday afternoon is ideal for a weekend fixture.
@@johnflynn910 our pitch fell apart due to it "drying out" about an inch deep of the top broke up and left big holes on the bowling crease and back foot landing area, the groundsman seems to not be interested in looking after it any more and is just rolling a heap of clippings into the deck, its made our block like a goat track now
@@dsmith9103 sounds like yoi might not be getting consistent watering from Sunday to Wednesday. Need to ensure it gets that base moisture back in the profile after the completion of play. This is normally 20 to 30 mins a night until prep starts again aka I work on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday night with automated irrigation. Additionally there maybe a thatch or layering issue that you might want to get some core samples taken.
@@johnflynn910 I'd show you pictures of how bad it looked, but I'm embarrassed to show you how crap our deck is!!!
@@dsmith9103 feel free to send direct message them to me on the perfect pitch fb page or insta accounts mate. All wickets are recoverable in my opinion