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[forester123]

Hi.
I am in the process of starting my own cricket team.
We have a field and I am a self-employed builder, so i have access to a vast array of machinery and supplies
How do i make a 'basic' cricket wicket?
many thanks,
Jim

[Jenko]

Are you wanting a concrete astro turf wicket or a proper turf strip to play on mate?

If your chasing a turf strip that is going to be any good if you want to play games on it and whereby the deck isnt going to break up, and is going to allow (decent) bounce throughout a game, it isn't such a basic process. You need to excavate an area, at least 300mm deep, put down plastic sheeting to prevent outfield grass and weeds encroaching on the square. Then its a process of layering crushed stone and appropriate clay at certain depths, compacting each during the process. Then planting an appropriate grass and maintaining that.

Anyways my knowledge is limited. Any groundsmen on here either add to that or burn it entirely!!!

[Talisman]

I think the square actually needs drainage first and the layers under the soil are to provide a quick draining. The top soil will need to be a mix of loams to allow good firmness and toughness underfoot by the players, usually a fair bit of Surrey loam in it to give a higher than average clay content.

[pacman75cricket]

Think you should get in contact with your local Cricket Development Officer may be able to help with funding avenue etc.  He will also be able to put you in contact with your pitch advisor who could advise you on construction.  If you get this wrong can lead to problems, think hampshire is an example they have problems managing as believe drains too quickly becuse of the drainage layer which leads to excess cracking.  Your pitch advisor will be able to test your soils & then advise/ further tests as important that loam is compatible with your existing soil.

If you need to kn ow your pitch advisor pm me & i will try to find out if you tell me where you are in the country.

Re loam make sure you use a quality cricket loam, surrey loam is very generic & can vary greatly in clay content, may not be cheapest but can avoid problems from incosistency

[100 not out]

Ongar loam is the best  imo

[pacman75cricket]

Ongar Loam is a good loam although co supplying it were in liquidation still traidng for ongar though last I heard, Would prefer not to deal with people involved in old co. GOSTD offer a high quality product also alsio loam would depend on maintenace regime as top loams harder to work but can make better pitches

[Howzat]

Ongar loam is the best  imo

Does the loam used not depend on what soil you have though?

[procricket]

as a non grounds man what the different to grass and clay pitches i play on clay and it's a belter

[Simmy]

we use tennis court loam stuff its dog (No Swearing Please)

[roco]

Always makes me grateful of where we are 50% of the club are from farming stock so know loads about soil etc but goes straight over my head

[pacman75cricket]

Higher the clay content the better the pitch can be produced however management of surface harder drying controling moisture to roll in right conditions etc( for rolling see ecb cranfield report)first class probably looking at clay content of 33% + good clud use can be 28%

[Howzat]

Whats Uxbridge's clay content?

[pacman75cricket]

Its GOSTD supernatural think about 33% clay can use as you have full time groundsman to roll in right conditions water use covers etc