Cricket Ground Covers – Uses and Benefits
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Flat Sheet Covers
Pros – Relatively lightweight and easy to use.
Cons – Quite expensive and you need to remove any standing water.
Where to use – On pitches, bowlers' run-ups and outfield areas.
When to use – In pitch preparation, during rain intervals and when protecting a surface for a large event.
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Mobile ‘Covers’
Pros – Easy to move, allows airflow over the pitch and redirects water away from square.
Cons – Expensive, needs multiple people to put on, large storage area required and can be open to vandalism.
Where to use – On the square.
When to use – In pitch preparation and during rain intervals.
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Coconut and Coir Matting
Long lasting brown fibre matting
Pros – Protect prepared pitch in damp conditions.
Cons – Not waterproof and very heavy when wet.
Where to use – On prepared pitches you want to protect during games.
When to use – When playing on adjoining pitches.
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Polythene Sheets
A wide range of gauges are available
Pros – Cheap depending on grade, good for a one-off use and can be clear to allow light through.
Cons – Difficult to secure down, causes condensation and conditions for turf diseases, lighter grade cannot hold large amounts of water and may cause the grass to draw and go yellow.
Where to use – On pitches and outfield areas and use as an additional cover from the mobile covers.
When to use – During rain intervals and when protecting a surface for a large event.
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PVC Tarpaulin and Cotton Tarpaulins
Pros – PVC tarpaulins are very strong and long lasting. Cotton tarpaulin is breathable.
Cons – They will need a number of people to put them on, the PVC will cause condensation and conditions for disease, and they must be completely dry for storage to prevent rotting.
Where to use – On pitches and outfield areas, and as an additional cover to the mobile covers.
When to use – During rain intervals and when protecting a surface for a large event.
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