MAINTAINING YOUR ARTIFICIAL PITCH (OCTOBER 2025)

Many clubs incorrectly assume that little or no maintenance is required for an artificial wicket/pitch once installed. This is, of course, not the case. Significant benefits can be derived from completing some straightforward maintenance work which can be undertaken in any setting – public or private land.

The artificial wicket installed at The Abbey, Stradbally, County Laois is widely regarded by players for its quality as a playing surface so we asked Roland Bradley (former CL President and stalwart of Laois Cricket Club) to give us an insight into his experience:

“When we installed our first artificial pitch some 30 years ago, the installer warned us to be careful when washing the pitch as we could damage the undersurface or the pitch itself.

For that reason, we have always favoured using a hot-wash which has less pressure than a cold washer (which depends on pure power to clean). By this means, the playing surface can be restored almost to the same standard as the day it was installed by getting rid of all the embedded clay and muck along with mosses and other growths. After cleaning, we would advise that the artificial pitch may require a once-over with a brush or sweeper depending on what came up to the surface from the hot-wash process.”

Roland further recommends that the cleaning process is undertaken by someone with appropriate equipment be engaged to undertake this work and has provided a recommendation based on his own experience with a supplier who operates throughout the province (reference: Colm Casey (086 8542227 or colmcasey75@gmail.com).

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE

Every year the artificial must be edged, best to do this minimum one month prior to the start of the season when the ground is soft. Equipment required: 30-yard string line with two thin steel bars, spade with straight edge, bucket or wheelbarrow and a strong brush. 

Set up the line tight to the edge of the artificial a distance from the return-crease, cut with the spade along the line, run it under the cut sod (do not damage the artificial) dispose of material with bucket  or wheelbarrow, brush any debris away. Walk along the cut edge giving a nice safe finish with a gentle gradient between artificial and surrounding surface (the reason to do when ground is damp). 

ONGOING IN-SEASON MAINTENANCE

During the season, perhaps 3 times, it will be necessary to cut back the wispy grass encroaching on to the artificial (known as the haircut), this can be done with a sharp clipper or a strimmer on half power. 

Next job is to wash the artificial, needs someone with the correct equipment, this will bring the artificial back to its original state, removing the winters moss and grime, after washing it is a good idea to roll with a reasonably heavy roller (If the artificial is set on stone and quarry dust it will develop indentations, this the ideal time to flatten). 

Remarking: usually last season’s marking is still visible. Equipment required: 30-yard string line as above, decent paint plus 2-inch quality brush (essential) straight edge about 10 ft long plus a cloth. The cloth is to keep the excess paint off the straight edge avoiding a mess.  

If no markings, it is advised to set line up along return crease 4ft 4inches from the centre of middle stump, marking both ends right and left. Now that everything is in line, popping crease and bowling crease can be filled in. 

A 4ft straight edge can be useful to mark guidelines for wide balls. The danger area and middle stump should also  be marked. If properly done it will only require freshening, the bit that will need doing every week is extending the popping crease as it will be worn from grass cutting. 

Of course if you have a marking frame it helps, more relevant for turf pitches which will be marked from scratch.

READY TO PLAY

You are now ready to play cricket! On the day of the game, you will need some means of cleaning the artificial prior to the start of play, preferably a leaf blower or a push sweeper, a clean surface is essential and it gives the correct impression from the outset.

The stumps should then be put in a solid mix of wet clay in the stump holes, compounded with the heel, when the stumps are in, they must be rigid so that the bails are secure. Spring loaded stumps  should be avoided. A good quantity fine sawdust (in case of rain), no grease or oil so a soft wood, the  blower again can be used after the game to remove excess. 

Fielding circle - where the artificial is the only pitch, the 30-yard fielding circle should be permanently marked by paint dots and refreshed every week and if available covered by discs. 

Our thanks to Roland Bradley (Laois CC) for sharing his experience and insight with other clubs in this way.