Backyard Cricket

[Rik E Boy]

Me and a bunch of my mates play a test match every Boxing Day.
We head to the local school oval (small boundaries!) and get drunk while having a hit.
One year we even had music when batsmen came onto the field T20 style.

Mark my words this teeball crap will mean the end of backyard cricket as we know it.

regards,

REB

[footy1992]

As i had mentioned in a previous post we decided to start up a second pitch mainly because of the amount of wear we are getting in the footmarks (both batting and bowling). So here it is, wicket #2, a little less green, but still plays well!

[OnSong]

Ok, so I gave it a crack at making a pitch in my back yard, with the dreaded Kikuyu lawn.
I purchased a cylinder mower and roller for $150, the catcher, which arrived yesterday, was $120 by itself. BARGAIN!

[OnSong]

I started on January 6, taking care to steadily lower the level and ensure I don't kill the lawn straight up.

[mighty_tiger_79]

les burdett???

[OnSong]

There were some great lumps and bumps below the lawn's surface given the way kikuyu grows, so I filled them in and within a matter of days, they slowly began to disappear.

[OnSong]

View of progress from the batsman's end.
It's only a half track to discourage bouncers and eliminating the pull shot, where the neighbours live.

[OnSong]

Final product as of yesterday, still not satisfied, grass coverage has improved, surface is firm, but still some signs of root systems I want to eliminate
Will update if I can get it to where I want it exactly.

[Mythical Creature]

Top work! Can't wait for an invite?

[Gingernuts]

Looks to be a good pitch with something in it for both pace and spin. Very nice work!

[mickey]

That looks better than the shit golden grove served up last weekend...

[OnSong]

That looks better than the shit golden grove served up last weekend...

Yet to try it with a real ball yet. Not that I want to bat on it with a real ball coming at me, but would like to see bounce/carry/cut/spin etc.
I've been cutting it once every two days and rolling it afterwards.
No catcher on the mower, which keeps the clippings on the deck too.
Certainly flattens out after an afternoon's play too.

[mickey]

Get the clippings off, they lead to thatch which causes the spongyness .. don't be scared to get the pitch really wet before a roll and try and roll the grass into the soil. Especially if u have a clay soil.

[OnSong]

Get the clippings off, they lead to thatch which causes the spongyness .. don't be scared to get the pitch really wet before a roll and try and roll the grass into the soil. Especially if u have a clay soil.

I do have a decent clay soil below.
The catcher will come in handy for that then, I don't get a big buildup of clippings on the pitch, as the mower throws cut lawn forwards, and eventually into the garden beyond.
I may try sweeping it though if this does seem to be happening.
The roller is only light, I would say 80kg(??), so it won't "bury" the grass into the surface as such unless I do it for a few hours! Haha.
I'll see if the neighbour has returned the roller this arvo and see how it responds.

[mighty_tiger_79]

are they going to be the future drop in pitches for adelaide oval?

[OnSong]

are they going to be the future drop in pitches for adelaide oval?

They seem to be doing a good job there.
I'm just hoping to become the next spinner in the Test team.

[mighty_tiger_79]

thats an impressive set up!!!!

an safooty backyard cricket session could be on the cards

[OnSong]

As a footnote, you can have a wicket-keeper, but you lose about a foot of pitch or so, no biggy.

Also, with current set up, see the droppers in the garden? They are used to hold up a pallet as the "wicket-keeper".

Mainly to protect the rose behind off-stump which cops a bit too much attention when the ball is missed.

[Dogwatcher]

Brilliant, Lester. Brilliant.

[Dutchy]

Nice one, your name wouldnt be Les would it?