Cricket Wickets Manual by Kevin Mitchell (snr)- Queensland Cricket

Crick

ket Wickets

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................PART I. SELECTION OF BLACK SOIL ...................................(A) A SIMPLE TEST.............................................................(B) MORE SOPHISTICATED TESTS ....................................(C) PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF LABORATORY TESTSPART II. SOME USEFUL RULES REGARDING BLACK SOIL....(A) THE FIRST RULE............................................................(B) THE SECOND RULE ....................................................(C) THE THIRD RULE ..........................................................(D) THE FOURTH RULE ......................................................(E) THE FIFTH RULE ...........................................................(F) THE SIXTH RULE ...........................................................PART III. SELECTION OF TURF GRASS FOR THE SUB-TROPICPART IV. SELECTION OF FERTILISERS ....................................PART V. CONSTRUCTING A WICKET FROM SCRATCH .......PART VI. NEW WICKET GRASS ESTABLISHMENT...................PART VII. PRE-SEASON WICKET PREPARATION ....................PART VIII. PRE-GAME PREPARATION .....................................PART IX. OFF SEASON CARE & MAINTENANCE ..................PART X. WATER RESTRICTIONS ............................................Appendix (One) Some Closing Remarks On ExpectatioAppendix (Two) Preparation Of A Wicket By Kevin MiAppendix (Three) Oval Dimensions To Suit Turf Wickets

..................................................................................................... 1 ..................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................... 2 ....................................................................................................... 2S...................................................................................................... 4 ..................................................................................................... 6 ....................................................................................................... 6 ....................................................................................................... 6 ....................................................................................................... 7 ....................................................................................................... 7 ....................................................................................................... 8 ....................................................................................................... 9CS ............................................................................................... 11 ................................................................................................... 13 ................................................................................................... 16 ................................................................................................... 24 ................................................................................................... 25 ................................................................................................... 27 ................................................................................................... 28 ................................................................................................... 30 ons Of The Perfect Wicket .......................................................31 itchell (Snr) ................................................................................33 s .................................................................................................36

INTRODUCTIONI would like to present the following to assist in the preparadevelopment of cricket as a growing sport within our StateGoing back to the basics, there are good reasons for choomaterial known to man that can:ƒ allow the penetration of water to produce initial plasƒ enhance the movement of water through the materƒ permit the evaporation of water through its surfaceƒ have sufficient permeability to allow water to be draƒ change in density through the increase or decreaseƒ increase it’s density by application of pressure througƒ dry in a uniform manner to produce a firm consistentƒ contract after drying, to leave a pattern of small eveƒ provide an excellent medium and range of nutrientsƒ accept green couch as an effective binding and reinƒ withstand regular regeneration and renovation to proƒ be reduced to powdered form to allow the applicatƒ be purchased and laid as a wicket very economicalƒ produce exciting bounce when used as a cricket wicAlso:ƒ it can be played on for months by footballers with taƒ it can provide the subject for more rumour, false assuNot all black soil is the same and it is important that the soiask of itCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ation of cricket wickets. I sincerely hope that this knowledge will aid in the e. osing a rich black soil, rich in clay, for our cricket wickets. It is the only sticity and expansion rial by capillary actionawn down through it by gravity of water content gh rolling t surface that will last for days en cracks over its entire surface for growing green couch nforcing plant oduce a desirable playing wicket tion of additional material to the wicket surface lly cketagged boots and recover miraculously in a few weeks umptions and downright lies than any other sticky substance that I know. il you plan to use, or even the soil on your own wicket is up to the job you Page 1 of 37

PART I. SELECTION OF BLACK SOIL(a) A SIMPLE TESTPeople often ask how to examine a sample of black soil thexisting wicket. There is an easy test using a test kit as simpwhether you should do any further testing or get any morefrom an existing wicket. Simply roll a sample of soil into a bseveral hours.A suitable sample should settle into three distinct layers; claIf your sample decays quickly, you can be sure it has too mThere is also a drying test. Again, roll the sample into a smatogether it is probably O.K. If it crumbles when handled yoAnother test can be applied to established wickets. Just bcan pick up problems that often occur in the soil through pon this important wicket deficiency later.(b) MORE SOPHISTICATED TESTSLike other soils, wicket black soil can be subjected to a numExamples of these tests include -ƒ Dispersion index (DI):ƒ Acidity/alkalinity (pH):ƒ Exchangeable cations:ƒ Cation exchange capacity for soil (CEC) - Ca2+; Mg2+; Na2+; K+; H+:Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

hat they are thinking of using for a new wicket or even the soil in theirple as a glass of water. This test will give you an early indication as toe advice on your sample. This test can also be done on a sample takenball about 30mm in diameter. Place into a glass of water and let it sit for ay, fine silt and medium silt. It should reduce in size gradually and evenly.much silt and too little clay. It is therefore unsuitable for use in a wicket. all ball and let it dry naturally in the atmosphere out of the sun. If it holdsou know that the silt content is too high.by cutting a 40mm deep sample core from a wicket, an experienced eye poor practice; eg. the problem of organic material in upper layers. More mber of tests from the disciplines of soil physics and physical chemistry. Page 2 of 37

ƒ Cation exchange capacity for clay;ƒ Ca2+/Mg2+ ratio;ƒ Particle size and distribution;ƒ Hydraulic conductivity (permeability to water);ƒ Linear swelling;ƒ Carbonate content;ƒ Clay content - (e.g. kaolinite, vermiculite, illite, montmƒ Organic matter content(c) PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF LABORATORY TESTSIt is important to recognise that while laboratory testing cablack soils, these results will NOT be an indicator of how wechange ratios, alter organic content, change pH values aIn my experience and that of other curators, you will rarelycamp; those people that week after week, year after yeaThis is not to unfairly denigrate soil scientists, they do a wontheir science to the art of wicket establishment and maintescience that few curators will understand and apply. Howwithout relying on the intricacies of scientific analysis?I believe that the three main properties that groundsmen sSoil acidity. (pH)Soil pH values in Queensland wickets are best at around vayou to check wicket soil pH quickly and accurately. Oncesolution and lead to a reduction in swelling capacity.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

morillinite); an pin point accurately the physical and chemical properties of selected ell the soils perform in situ. The elements and curator interventions serve toand introduce new compounds and ions into the soil. y find agreement between the “soil scientist” camp and the “curators” ar have the job of producing a perfect wicket for the weekend game. nderful job in agricultural situations and some try to link the application of enance. I really believe you can get confused with the complexities of aw can we use the science available to produce the results we want should look for when choosing wicket black soil are: alues of 6.5 to 7.5. It will pay you to buy a good soil test kit that will enable e the pH in your wicket drops below a value of 6, ions of A1 will come into Page 3 of 37

Of course, no one these days inadvertently elevates pH vaspoiled many good wickets in the past.Permeability (hydraulic conductivity)I cannot stress enough that this is a major factor in retaininthe black soil to the drainage system below. This leachingSodium and other salts which are delivered via the irrigatiosalts content of over 2,000 parts per million (ppm) will beginPermeability is also important because it allows water appsoil depths to reach deep grass roots and provide a healthevaporate and produce the drying and hardening procesblack soil with good permeability characteristics will perforClay contentThere are many “guru’s” in the cricket game who claim toclay content in the perfect wicket. The facts are that blacpotential to produce the perfect wicket that will hold up foOn the continuum of clay content found in soils, as shownan extreme soil, although it sits on the high side of the contA further comparison shows that clay content of 65% to 75(up to 82%).100% 65%-70% 82% Perth(Reference D.S. McIntyre, H.J. Beaty CSIRO Division of Soils,Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

alues through the use of lime to mark creases; although this practice hasng a healthy wicket. It is important that water can pass or leach throughg process facilitates the removal of undesirable substances, particularly on system, particularly if Brisbane town water is used. Note that soluble n to reduce that rate of grass growth and self repair.plied through at the surface through irrigation to pass through to the lower hy binding turf. During rolling, water has to make its way to the surface to ss that results in a wicket surface with that illusive “bounce” quality. Only rm all of these functions efficiently.o have all the answers when questioned about the correct percentage of ck soils with a clay content of between 65% and 75% will have the or days in our local situation. below, we can note that the ideal soil for south east Queensland is not tinuum for clay against sandy loam comparisons.5% is moderate compared with Adelaide wickets (51%) and Perth wickets 50/50 clay silt 100% sandy loan 51% 65%-75% Adelaide Brisbane Page 4 of 37, 1983)

Remember that the higher the clay content, the harder thConversely, the larger the percentage of silt, the more quiFor those interested in the physical chemistry of clays it shotesting schedule above) contributes significantly to the expCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

he wicket will be to manage and the harder the surface it can produce. ickly the wicket will break and powder.ould be noted that the clay compound montmorillinite (mentioned in the pansion and contraction properties of black soil. Page 5 of 37

PART II. SOME USEFUL RULES REGARDING BLAOver the many years I have been involved in constructingcomments raised regarding the performance of black soilpresented here in the form of “rules”(a) THE FIRST RULE When you install your ne never improve and there other words, from the mo decline. Whether this decline bec lasting many years, depe beautiful new wickets go lly poisoning the soil. The replacement groundsmaFigure 1: Spreading and Because a wicket can’tlevelling wicket soil important to procure the the start.(b) THE SECOND RULEIt takes time for a wicket to be rested and restored to a stapreparation for the next game. With good curator care, rethis period water needs to be absorbed back into the sub-rolling and play. This process takes the wicket clays back tand swollen and ready for heavy rolling which forms that hnext game.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ACK SOILg and preparing wickets, I have provided answers to questions and wickets. Here are some of the most common answers that I have given,ew wicket, the black soil that you use will be at it’s premium best, it will e is nothing you can do to improve it or it’s potential performance. In oment you start using your new wicket, it begins to go into a steady comes a steep dive leading to an early death or a gradual decline ends on the quality of care the wicket gets from it’s curator. I have seen o to rack and ruin in only a few years through groundsmen unintentional e replacement wicket in these cases is usually looked after by a an! improve, it is easy to see why it is so e best black soil available, right atate ready for rolling and Figure 2; Wicket scarified and top estoration takes six weeks. During dressed -surface which has dried out during to their previous state; expandedhard even surface ready for the Page 6 of 37

Remember too that unless you get the water into your wicparticularly after heavy rolling.(c) THE THIRD RULECracking must be kept to a minimum. Legend which dateinduced in the soil during renovation, the better the ‘airingFortunately legends fade into obscurity. Wide cracks onlywiden. Once wide cracks are induced in a wicket they wout, prematurely and in exactly the same place even aftethe binding effect of the couch grass has been destroyedappear in the middle of a game which can be very embaThe proper approach is far more effective and less damagControlled drying produces narrow and even cracking in tthat these cracks don’t deepen and penetrate to the bot(c) THE FOURTH RULEGood water permeability and subsoil drainage are absoluIn the past wicket guru’s told groundsmen to build wicketsfor curators. They were too deep to allow leaching and traunmanageable because they retained a plastic middle laclay also occurs and high salt content leads to a crumblinCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

cket during the rest and renovation period, it won’t absorb water later; es from the last century had it that the larger and wider the cracks you g’ of the soil and the better the potential for water infusion. serve to tear the turf root structure apart as the cracks develop andwill return, as surely as the sun rises, every time the wicket is allowed to dry er rolling. This is because the fractured roots have not and will not rejoin, d even though the cracks have swelled and closed. These cracks can arrassing. ging to the wicket. the surface layer only. Following correct renovation procedures ensure ttom of the black soil wicket section and damage your root system. utely essential if you want to produce first class wickets year after year. s 300mm, or more, deep, these deep wickets produced many problems anspiration (through the surface) and were unpredictable and ayer. This made remoulding difficult, build up of salts in the thick block of ng soil and makes remoulding difficult. Page 7 of 37

(c) THE FIFTH RULEThe best wickets are 150mm to 200mm deep when consolallows the following processes to take place effectively.ƒ Water retention for good grass growth. There is enoug considerable amount of water to dissolve nutrients fro continuous uptake by the grass root hairs.ƒ Root depth. Roots will penetrate the 150mm to 200m soil over time. Experience has shown that this thickne to provide the root hairs with all the nutrients they nee roots, leaves and stolons. Roots may even reach dow sand layer, although this is not needed for excellent g top of the wicket. ƒ Evaporation 200mm dee evaporation firm) base o rolling beca This results in that hard evFigure 4 - Wicket depth with underlays ƒ Leaching. T of water thr 200mm, lea salts and tox the wicket.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

lidated. This thicknessgh soil bulk to hold a om the soil and allowmm depth of the black ess of wicket is enough ed to produce healthy wn to the underlying grass production on then. If the wicket is over Figure 3: -150mm wicket sod reverted to show rootep the process of structuren will not remove moisture from the lower depths resulting in a plastic (noton which the wicket is prepared. This leads to remoulding problems whileause water is continuously brought up from the deeper layers when rolling.n a wicket surface that is very difficult to seal along it’s surface and to getven crust that you are looking for. The thicker the black soil the harder it will be for you to promote leaching rough the wicket to the drainage layer below. At between 150mm andaching can be achieved with the resulting efficient removal of dissolved xins which otherwise build up in the root zone and hasten the demise of Page 8 of 37

ƒ Uniformity. Horizontal zone uniformity is easily achieve black soil, it is an ideal depth to manage. It is relative consistency at every point on the surface of the wickƒ Remoulding. Experience has shown that roller point l through shallow wickets to the sand drainage layer b pattern on the underside of the wicket and leads to c surface. At 150mm or deeper there is sufficient depth interface from roller influences. You know that you a and not the sand below and remember never use th will disturb the underlays.ƒ Predicability. You need to be confident that the pre performance of your wicket to players and others be These predictions must apply to all points on your wic 150mm to 200mm depth, you can confidently make wicket will play.(c) THE SIXTH RULEUnderstand water loss and water application principles.Water is lost from the wicket in the following five ways:1. Evaporation through the surface which is accelerate2. Transpiration through the couch grass leaf stomates. drawn up from the roots to be released to the atmos water removal.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ed with 150mm to 200mm of Figure 5: - Wicket depth and drainage ely easy for you to achieve ket. loads can be transferredbelow. This produces a wave corresponding variations in the h to isolate the sand/soilare only remoulding the wickethe vibrator on your roller as thisedictions you make about theefore a game will be accurate. cket. In my experience with predictions as to how youred by the factors of high temperatures, low humidity, higher wind velocity. Thousands of tiny holes in the underside of grass leaves allow the water sphere. The more leaves on your wicket therefore, the higher rate of Page 9 of 37

3. Sweating. This is seen as water droplets which conde of the wicket at night produces a temperature gradi the surface as water vapour and condenses into wat4. Rolling. This process compacts the black soil, squeez roller.5. Gravity. This draws water down into the subsoil draina subsoil drainage layer, water removal by this processWater should be controlled and applied only through:ƒ even hand wateringƒ a travelling irrigatorI personally don’t believe in automated sprinkler systems wproperly controlled water application. A wicket that has npace and will be quite unpredictable in play.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ense on the covers when left on over night. Cooling of the surface layer ient which moves water upwards to the surface in vapour form. It leaves ter drops on the cool cover surface. zing out the water from the surface layers as they are compressed by the age from the lower layers of the block. Obviously, if you don’t have a s is minimal.with sprinklers located along the wicket perimeter, it is too difficult to getnot been watered evenly throughout will result in variation of bounce and Page 10 of 37

PART III. SELECTION OF TURF GRASS FOR THEUp until 1980, there were many trials and experiments doneresistance to wear, compaction survival and binding qualiFortunately these experiments have been completed by bexperienced by them. The results of their efforts, however,reasons for avoiding these grasses are important.Crowning grasses such as paspalum, crows foot, wire grasby these grasses are soft and if left in the wicket, when strusurface of the wicket. Very embarrassing for the curator aSecondly, as crowning grasses produce their crown, blackby grass. The curator must then remove the crown and fillblack soil to restore the evenness of his surface.Soft grasses should also be removed from the wicket. ThesPark; grasses that will not withstand the compression throuThatching grasses. Wintergreen, Couch 328, Tiff dwarf andon the surface through rapid growth. This will require eraddense root structure which is undesirable. Encroaching oftadjoining the wicket block, eradication must be performednoticed, to avoid contamination of the wicket.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

SUB-TROPICS e with a wide range of grasses in an effort to seek improved growth, ities. brave pioneers, so we do not have to suffer the pain of failure already , brings me to the grasses which we don’t want to see in any wicket. The ss and blue couch fit in the unwanted category. Firstly, the crowns formed uck by the ball, it will not bounce but will change direction along theand can be dangerous! k soil is dispersed in the small area under the crown. Black soil is replaced the cavity and the hole left after the removal of the root with powdered se include rye grass and Greenlees ugh heavy rolling. d hybrid species produce a thatchdication as these grasses have a ten occurs from the outfield grasses d once this encroachment is Figure 6: - Laying full turf on new wicket. Page 11 of 37

Figure 7: - Full turf laid Removal by scarifica All of the above gras inexperienced groun The facts are that the east Queensland, CO The reasons that com follows: ƒ Grows rapidly, ƒ Grows laterally ƒ Withstands hea ƒ Produces an ev root system for ƒ Regenerates ra ƒ Withstands the processes inher ƒ It’s nutrient requ to nutrients fou ƒ Recovers well aCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ation is the best method, using a walk-behind motorised scarifier. sses will produce a good looking lush growth that can mislead the ndsman into believing that all his care has produced a good wicket. ere is only one grass that does the job, particularly in our climate in south OMMON GREEN COUCH. mmon green couch is used so successfully in black soil wickets are as with active stolon extension, avy rolling, ven and suitable spaced binding black soil, apidly during renovation, contraction and expansion rent in black soil, uirements are well matchedund naturally in black soil, after scarification. Figure 8: - Planted Green Couch Sprigs Page 12 of 37

PART IV. SELECTION OF FERTILISERSThe first important point is that there are no fertilisers manurange of commercial fertilisers available on the market. Msoil. The heavy clay soils do not easily leach these residuesof the quantity of these salt residues, a high percentage rebecomes affected; generally drastically.The table produced below gives an indication of relevantThe Salt Index - a measure of the effect of fertilisers on thefertiliser to increase salinity. The base index of 100 is assignFERTILISER/SALT INDEXSodium chloride 154 AmmoniumPotassium chloride 114 Calcium nitrAmmonium nitrate 105 Potassium suSodium nitrate 100 MagnesiumUrea DiammoniumPotassium nitrate 75 Monoammo 74Fertilisers from the top of this list have the greatest chancebeen ruined (and continue to be ruined) through excessivCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ufactured specifically for cricket wickets. The only choice is from the wideMany of these commercial fertilisers contain salts which form residues in the s compared with the sandy loams of golf and bowling greens. Because emain locked in, gradually building up until the root zone of the grass salt residues for different commercial fertilisers. salinity of soil. The larger the salt index, the greater the capacity of aned to Sodium nitrate. sulphate 69 Superphosphate triple 10 rate 53 Monopotassium phosphate 8 ulphate 46 Calcium sulphate 8m sulphate 44 Superphosphate single 8 m phosphate 34 Calcium carbonate 5 onium phosphate 30 Dolomite 1 of causing build up of salinity in your wicket. Countless wickets haveve dosages of fertilisers. Page 13 of 37

I have calculated that the total mass of plant nutrients remmowing and leaching would rarely exceed:13kg Nitrogen 6.5kg Phosphate 6.5kg PotashSPRING (August) applied with top dressing(note: “Pre-season Wicket Preparation”) on page 25Blood and bone (soluble) 15kg per wickeSelected lawn food 5kg per wickeSEPTEMBER 5kg per wickeUreaOCTOBER 5kg per wickeLawn food 5kg per wickeUrea TOTAL PERCENTAGE Nitrogen:PPhosph Nitrogen (N) Phosphate (P205) Potash (K20)It should be noted that the above is intended as an illustrasituation, which will differ in several respects, regular obserin good condition, in my experience, it is best left alone unCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

moved annually from a single (correctly constructed) wicket through NOVEMBER 5kg per wicket Sulphate of potashet DECEMBER 5kg per wicketet Urea 5kg per wicket Lawn foodet FEBRUARY Urea 5kg per wicket per wicketet Diammonium phosphate 5kget APRIL-MAY 15kg per wicket Blood and bone (soluble)hatge:Potash:- 13.3kg 6.51kg 6.73kgation of a well balanced program for established wickets. For your own rvation and common sense as well as testing will be a guide. If the turf isntil yellowing or reddening indicate a deficiency. Page 14 of 37

Remember, fertilising your wicket is considerably different tthe market and very few are suitable for wicket soils as ourmain structural fertiliser. Root Zone - a selected lawn foodstructure to be used 6 to 8 weeks between applications.It cannot be stressed enough that the main aim of any feran over boosted lush, soft growth which will not endure heCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

to fertilising your lawn. We have many ready mixed blends available on r soil is of an organic material. Soluble Blood and Bone should be our used sparingly. Stolons and rhizomes - Nitrogen (Nitram e.g.) leafrtilising program is to produce a tough, slow growing prostrate grass; noteavy rolling. Page 15 of 37

PART V. CONSTRUCTING A WICKET FROM SC1. Check orientation. The wicket must be set up with nwicket. Do not create your own problems. Three things rea) good foundationsb) good drainagec) even layers of wicket soil and underlays2. Mark perimeter. Once the size and orientation of tmarker.3. Check foundation material. If material is poor, soft omaterial from the local quarry.4. Sub soil irrigation. This is very important and must bePVC, ensure that these pipes DO NOT move up and awayOne method is to put small piles of gravel on your pipes atto off-oval drainage made of solid PVC pipe passing throuSub Soil Irrigation Plan – next page. Figure 9: - Inspection Point Figure 10: D 90mCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

CRATCH north-south orientation. Common sense rules when we are laying a new equired to ensure a good wicket are: the wicket has been established. Do this accurately and mark with a line or permeable, excavate and put in a solid false base using road base e laid accurately on the sculptured base material. Use 90mm slotted y from base material by securing them, before dropping the aggregate. t intervals to help hold them in place. This drainage system is connected ugh an inspection hole to check if drainage is working correctly. Refer toDrainage slotted Figure 11 - Inspection pointml PVC Page 16 of 37

Sub soi 24 m3 18 mtrs Solid 90mm PVC Slotted 90mm Drainage off oval Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr) Copyright ©

il Irrigation Plan (1) Common Green Couch Wicket Soil 150mm Medium Sand 100mm 10mm Gravel 150mm Compacted Road Base (optional) 6x3ml Page 17 of 37

Common Green Me Wicket Soil 150mm Compa Medium Sand 100mm 10mm Gravel 150mmCompacted Road Base (optional) Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr) Copyright ©

Sub soil Irrigation Plan (2) Inspection Common Green Screw Cap Wicket Soil 150mm To outlet locationedium Sand 100mm 10mm Gravel 150mm Page 18 of 37 acted Road Base (optional)

5. The Permeable drainage gravel 150mm thick coverlevel surface is achieved. It is then ready for the next layer Figure 12:- Sand Profile6. The Middle layer of medium granulate sand Is thenachieved. This sand layer is important as it allows the leacsoil and through to the base to be drained away.Cricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ring pipe by 60mm is then laid making sure that an even thickness and r. Figure 13: - Gravel Basen placed, again making sure that an even thickness and level surface isching of used fertilisers and other unwanted properties out of our wicket Page 19 of 37

7. Spreading of black soil follows. Making sure at all stare even throughout ensures that our moisture content is hthrough all of the wicket profiles.Keep the final level at a height above the level of the outfsettling later in the establishment process.The machine must make and run over his own road of blacrun his wheels into the sand thus creating furrows. The maccontribute to the break up of the soil. You may want to hacrushed prior, which is time consuming and really not nece8. When ordering black soil remember that 50m3 requloose when loaded into the back of a truck.9. Order excess for top dressing later. Of course, yousuitable crushing machinery available to do this job; eithehammer mill.Usually a wicket requires up to three drums (44 gal.) per sethe completion of a match.10. The construction of a new wicket and oval combinewicket will finish central and at the right height in conjunct(a) to find the central point and apex e.g. finished heigh(b) cut the oval 100mm below that point to allow for theCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

tages that all layers homogeneous, field to allow for ck soil and never chines wheels ave all the soil essary.uired will be 70m3 Figure 14 - Spreading of black soil will need to haveer a proper crusher designed for the job or a converted agriculturaleason for maintenance purposes eg repair foot holes and worn areas after ed is a systematic operation with our main objective being to insure our tion with the new oval. So the order of precedence would be:ht of ovale surface dressing of medium sand (100mm or more) at a later stage. Page 20 of 37

(c) excavate the wicket cavity and level. (i) Trench out for off the oval drainag (ii) Trench out and lay 50mm water p Irrigation line 3m from Wicket Bloc (iii) Lay all drainage pipes wickets and Figure 15 - Excavating wicket siteCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

ge PVC.pipe to central and 3m out from wicket area. (Refer Figure 17: -ck) d off oval. Figure 16 - Gravel Base Page 21 of 37

(d) Construct wicket with a 100mm above finished oval sFigure 17: - Irrigation line 3m from Wicket Block(e) Construct an apron 3m radius around finished wicket wicket edge which could be then boxed (optional). to 40mm for shrinkage and consolidation that will occ oval can now be constructed without interference to(f) Keep in mind that turf cannot be laid until water is reaCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

surface or our apex marker and turf (Refer Figure 18:- Fully Turfed). Figure 18:- Fully Turfedt with our growing medium (sand) to oval height and lay full turf to the The finished height of the turf should be 75mm and this will allow 35mm cur and will leave your wicket at the precise height that is required. Theo the wicket. adily available. Page 22 of 37

75mm to laid turf 3m finished wicket height oval apexfull turf oval cutCricket Wickets by Kevin Mitchell (Snr)Copyright ©

3m 100mm to oval surfaceoval surface Page 23 of 37