Pitch Inspections and Match Readiness

In this lesson you will learn to inspect methodically. Begin with the pitch: walk its full length, look at grass cover, colour and any cracks, press and probe for hardness and moisture, and check for loose material or soft spots. Then check the creases and stumps against the Law measurements. Move on to the rest of the square, the run-ups and the outfield, looking for hazards. Finally check the boundary, sightscreens, covers and equipment. Use the same order every time, and use a written checklist, so nothing is missed even on a busy matchday morning.

• Pitch first: cover, cracks, hardness, moisture
• Creases and stumps against the Laws
• Run-ups, outfield and boundary
• Use the same order and a checklist

In this lesson you will learn how to judge whether a pitch is ready. A ready pitch is firm and dry on the surface with even consolidation, has its grass cut to the final height and brushed, shows no loose or crumbling areas, and has crisp, accurate markings. It should give consistent bounce when a ball is dropped or bounced from a height at several points along its length. If it is too damp, the lead groundsperson may decide on a final cut and roll, or covers to manage drying. Readiness is judged honestly, and concerns are raised early, not hidden.

• Firm, dry surface with even consolidation
• Final cut height and brushed
• No loose or crumbling areas
• Consistent bounce along its length

In this lesson you will learn about the areas just off the pitch. Bowlers' run-ups must give safe footing, so check they are level, free from holes and not slippery. Footholds at the popping crease take a battering and must be firm. After rain, drying materials may be used on footholds and run-ups, under the umpires' direction. During a match the umpires may allow footholds to be repaired or cleaned under the Laws, so have suitable materials ready. A bowler who slips because of a poor run-up can be badly injured, so these areas deserve as much care as the pitch itself.

• Run-ups level, free of holes, not slippery
• Footholds at the crease must be firm
• Drying materials only as umpires direct
• Have repair materials ready

In this lesson you will learn how the ground team works with the umpires. Under the Laws, the umpires are the sole judges of whether the ground, weather and light are fit for play, and they will usually inspect the pitch before the toss. Greet them, tell them which pitch is in use, the covering arrangements and any known issues, and give honest answers. If they ask for something to be done, such as removing water or repairing a foothold, do it promptly within the Laws. Questions about league regulations, such as start times or reduced overs, should be checked against the WFA competition regulations.

• Umpires judge fitness of ground and pitch
• Brief them on pitch, covers and issues
• Respond promptly and honestly
• Check WFA regulations for league rules

In this lesson you will learn how to respond to problems on matchday. If rain arrives, follow the covers plan. If a hazard is found, fix it if possible, otherwise rope it off and inform the umpires. If the pitch becomes dangerous, perhaps because of uneven bounce, the umpires will decide what happens, which may include stopping play. Under the Laws a pitch may only be changed in limited circumstances and with the agreement required, so never prepare or switch a pitch without the umpires. Stay calm, keep the lead groundsperson informed, and record what happened.

• Follow the covers plan if rain arrives
• Fix or rope off hazards and inform umpires
• Umpires decide if a pitch is dangerous
• Never switch a pitch without the umpires

In this lesson you will learn what happens once the match is over. As soon as practical, the pitch is swept and brushed, foot holes and bowlers' follow-through damage are repaired with compatible loam, and the area is seeded and kept moist. The creases are left to fade or are cut out over time. The square and outfield are checked for damage and litter. Equipment is cleaned, checked and put away. Prompt repair gives the pitch the best chance to recover, so it can be reused later in the season if the allocation plan requires.

• Sweep and brush the used pitch
• Repair foot holes with compatible loam
• Seed and keep moist
• Clean, check and store equipment

In this lesson you will learn how to record and improve. For each match pitch, record the preparation dates, rolling, watering, cutting heights, weather, and how the pitch played, including pace, bounce and any problems. Note feedback from umpires and captains politely and objectively. Over a season, these records show which approaches work best on each strip and reveal patterns, such as pitches that crack early or areas with poor drainage. Share them with the ground committee and, when useful, with a county pitch adviser. This is how a club square improves year on year.

• Record preparation, weather and play
• Note umpire and captain feedback
• Look for patterns across the season
• Share with the committee and advisers