Artificial Pitch

The artificial pitch at Garscube was laid to the following detailed specification, by Notts Sport® who have extensive experience of preparing Non-Turf Cricket Pitches.

The Performance Criteria agreed with Notts Sport® are:

• To provide a true and consistent bounce at all times
• For the pitch to suit all abilities and types of cricketers, including spin bowlers
• The perimeter will ensure a smooth ball roll and no bump effect as the ball is rolling from artificial to natural grass
• The pitch will enjoy the longest possible lifespan. The sub-base layers will remain intact, and therefore the lifespan is purely restricted to the top surface, NottsWeave which on average lasts approximately ten years, and can easily be renewed at modest cost.

The envelope system will be used to construct the artificial wicket at Garscube.

The main advantage of this system is that the hard porous base is completely wrapped using a porous geotextile (NottsFilm), and the surface is protected by a stiffened underlay (NottsPad) to minimise disturbance during play.

As with a natural pitch, the pace depends on the moisture content and, to a certain extent, can be controlled by watering and rolling. An overall medium fast pitch has been selected for Garscube, although the weather conditions on the day will determine the pace and bounce.

Pictures of the artificial pitch

These pictures were taken on the 28 April 1998 by Gordon Curry, please click each picture to enlarge.

The excavated cricket square, taken from the north-east across the recently laid artificial pitch.

The excavated cricket square, taken from the south-east across the recently laid artificial pitch.

The excavated cricket square, taken from the south-east showing all of the new artificial pitch.

The excavated cricket square, taken from the south-east showing all of the new artificial pitch.

The excavated cricket square, taken from the north showing all of the new artificial pitch.