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Non-Turf cricket pitches and nets provide an alternative playing surface to natural turf where additional high wear surface can help to provide cricket where space is limited or when a large number of people, such as a school want to play cricket, or where it is difficult to maintain natural turf to the required safety and performance standards.

Non-turf surfaces are also used for practice and training purposes.

There are two main construction methods of non-turf surface:
1. Engineered base- solid concrete or tarmac base.
2. Dynamic base – compacted granular stone designed to mimic the way a natural pitch plays.

Always follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines/recommendations – if you do not have a copy – contact the supplier. Always check the requirements of your warranty.

Synthetic surfaces are not maintenance free; the carpet needs cleaning and the dynamic base need re-levelling and rolled on a regular basis with a light roller, ideally pushed and pulled and not driven by a motor to reduce wheel slip.

Lack of maintenance will cause the surface to become dirty, and a lack of rolling can cause the surface to become uneven and even dangerous in some circumstances.

Weed control may also be required and the edges should be maintained to prevent excess grass ingress. Always follow the product label and conform to applicable pesticide legislation when using herbicides or other pesticides.

Always check for tears in the carpet and shockpad and repair where necessary to reduce injury risk and to prevent further damage to the surface.

Benefits

• Reduces the wear and use on the main square
• Uniform surface for games and training
• A surface to allow intense practice, improving skill levels
• Good consistent surfaces for junior training and matches, developing skill levels.
• A good synthetic surface is superior to a poor natural turf one.

Practical Tips

The ECB provides advice on developing your non-turf cricket pitch project, including advice on selecting non-turf pitches, a code of practice for installers and a list of ECB approved non turf pitch suppliers installers
https://www.ecb.co.uk/be-involved/club-support/club-facility-management/...

• Non-turf pitches are not all weather, but they can be used more often than grass pitches, ideal for developing skills of all players (Adult, Juniors).
• Remember that on match pitches, the bowlers run ups can get very worn, the pitch can take more games, always consider the run ups, and give time to maintain and repair when needed.
• Move junior creases to spread wear over time.
• Remember also that although your non-turf pitch may be useable in wetter conditions, an adjacent square could still be wet and susceptible to damage from fielders.