A Checklist for Ground Staff as the Season Approaches

A former member of the ground staff at the Oval, Padwick was named the Southern Premier Cricket League groundsman of the year in 2024. He currently presides over the playing strips of both Sparsholt CC and Easton CC and is also a pitch advisor for the Hampshire Cricket Board.

Here, as part of a regular new column, he tells The Hawk the activities that ground staff should be undertaking in the run-up to the new season.

1. Regular mowing 1-2 x per week at 16-20mm. The first cut can be carried out with a rotary mower and preferably one fitted with a rear roller. It's important to remember that all grass clippings must be collected.

2. ⁠Application of early spring fertiliser. Avoid products which are high in nitrogen.

3. ⁠Create a pitch plan to help spread the wear across the square - don't wait until the start of the new season to do this, it's crucial this is in place as soon as possible.

4. ⁠Square up the square and mark out pitch edges. Squaring up the square involves using Pythagoras 3-4-5 triangle rule.

5. ⁠Pre season rolling should commence when conditions allow. The roller should never leave marks, if this happens wait for it to dry and try again.

6. Use a light roller to start with and increase the weight of the roller in the build up to the first game. Roll in different directions and avoid line of play until you start preparing pitches.

For more information follow the link to the Grounds Management Association Cricket toolkit resource https://toolkit.thegma.org.uk/cricket/