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[BD]

I currently have a 10m long x 3m wide x 2m high open ended net set up under my house on a nice smooth flat concrete base with a 12m long x 2m wide strip of astro turf played down as a pitch.  This is a good setup but the pitch drops off after 12 metres down about 15cm onto my gravel driveway where I have my bowling machine set up.  As the net is set up under my house once you get going it's not really possible to really smash a bad ball hard or play force-full shots without blowing out a floorboard or two.  I am happy with this set up but a little concerned about batting all the time on a concrete/astro surface.

Does anyone here net on a natural turf base? I was thinking of getting a large full size net and setting up on the large flat grass area in my front yard. (I live on a decent sized block of land so are able to do this). In addition, where I live in Australia the ground is rock hard so I'm thinking this will assist with obtaining a reasonable bounce?  My bowling machine/astro pitch gets very heavy use as I work nightshift and are alway home during the day to have a net or 10 with my machine so I'm not sure whether a natural turf surface will stand up to the constant battering or balls on it.  What about laying a 20m strip of astro turf down on top of the grass protect the pitch to still maintain a similar feel to batting of a real wicket?  i.e. some deviation off the wicket, variation in bounce, ball holding up a little etc. 


 

[ProCricketer1982]

Using a real wicket works well with a bola and it really does react more like it should. However, as the sheer amount and accuracy of the machine, coupled with the balls, you'll find you'll chew up your wickets rather quickly. That's just my experience anyway.

[GoodLeave]

Sounds like a nice dilemma to have!

I guess it depends on how much you value the grass in your yard. Nothing beats practice on real wickets, but Astro will give you the longevity/durability.

I love the idea of preparing my own private wicket though! So if I had the time/money/patience, id be asking your mates to come down and help out with the heavy roller 

[smilley792]

My advice would be to make a strip that's the width of two wickets, then move the stumps and bowling machine around to vary which part of the strip your using.

The wicket should last longer, and it gives time to repair and regrow the areas that end up having a lot of traffic.

[BD]

Thanks for the replies lads.

A further question: if I do this will the inevitable small dirt, dust and earth particles that balls pick up off the ground damage the interior workings of the bowling machine at all?

[GoodLeave]

Thanks for the replies lads.

A further question: if I do this will the inevitable small dirt, dust and earth particles that balls pick up off the ground damage the interior workings of the bowling machine at all?

I'll be the first to get my "Washing your balls" joke in.

Aside from that, what machine do you have? I have a paceman (Base model, not sure of name) and use it in a fairly dusty garage. The balls have a fair covering of dust now and it does seem to have slowed the machine down a fraction as the wheel picks up the dust from the ball, but if you've got a better machine I imagine the dip in performance will be smaller. Definitely if you've got a BOLA, we've been using ours at the club for 2 seasons and the balls looks as new due to the dual wheel system shredding any dirt off the balls as they go through. We have to clean the tray out occasionally as the machine is so good at cleaning the balls.

[BD]

If you've got a BOLA, we've been using ours at the club for 2 seasons and the balls looks as new due to the dual wheel system shredding any dirt off the balls as they go through. We have to clean the tray out occasionally as the machine is so good at cleaning the balls.

I currently have a Paceman Pro but have just placed an order for a BOLA unit.  Your comment above pretty much answers my question, cheers!