Key Tasks (Outfield Maintenance)

The key tasks through the season are:

• Mowing
• Repairing Damage
• Fertiliser Application
• Weed, Pest and Disease Management
• De-compacting and smoothing the outfield surface
• Renovating the outfield
• Drainage maintenance

The aim when maintaining the outfield in the cricket season is to:

1. Provide good ball roll across the surface which rewards good batting but allows the fielder to reasonably predict the path of the ball across the outfield and the bounce of the ball off it. 
2. Provide good traction for the fielders – they should not be slipping uncontrollably and should be able to accelerate, turn and stop safely.
3. Provide a smooth surface which is safe to dive on and does not have features such as rabbit holes or severe changes in slope that could cause player injury.
4. The ball should not bobble excessively or ‘jump’ up unpredictably so that players are not hit in the face as they go down to field.
5. The outfield should be of suitable gradients and dimensions and have a boundary marked in accordance with the laws of cricket and any applicable league playing regulations.
6. The outfield should drain sufficiently to allow play after a reasonable drying period following rainfall.