So really been putting in the effort at the cricket club. The old boy I work with and under is sick still…can’t figure out what is going on but he’s low on iron and no energy. Leaves me to take up the slack so been working really hard doing the job of two. We usually split the duties…anyways…this is what I have prepared. It’s a first grade standard cricket wicket and I did the lot this week. Not bad for an amateur. 
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Good job! That’s hard work!
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Thanks @LilyoftheValley . It’s physical work and lots of mowing but other things as well. Most of a cricket wicket is getting the moisture right. It really is a craft and I’ve been an apprentice for a long time now. Couple of days a week. Still. It’s physically taxing and a lot of work.
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Nice green pitch! I love watching folk play on such a pitch. Has a little bit for everybody
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Looks can be deceiving @anon94176359. We’ve 30 degree C heat for two days and there’s some big cracks. Don’t think it’ll matter too much but might be a bit of variable bounce. We use the same black soil that the Gabba uses so it’s hard as a rock. We always say out on our number 1 pitch you need to bend your back…it’s a road…usually!
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Out of interest how much is your lawn mower worth. The local bowling club in the village has a mower worth like £4k
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Yeah ride on is about 7k Aussie…that is pretty well on the money with the exchange rate…
To mow the pitch you need a self propelled cylinder mower. They get down really close to the surface so that is about 2k Aussie. I think. Don’t quote me but that is in the ball park and we got good deals on both.
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You got different size rollers?
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Nah…but we have a Mentay 2000. Great bit of kit and it’s about 800kgs. We probably roll the wicket 4-5 hours over two days. Our wickets only usually last a day so we can skimp on a bit of prep. The Gabba has to pour water into the block to make the wicket last 5 days. It really is an art.
Check out the mentay rollers…very cool bit of kit and cost us 30k. We got a sports grant to get it and got a manual super sopper too. You can add weight in the drums by adding water.
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Lol was just looking it up on YouTube!
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Yeah it’s good. You can load up the drums with water but we just use standard. A good wicket is all about the soil. We use this great blacksoil from out bush. It’s high in clay content so you add water and it goes rock hard…great for cricket wickets.
It’s all about balancing the water level. More moisture gives it a bit and it all depends on weather. This wicket has some cracks but it’s so hot…32 degrees C…The metay is so good. haha . A nice bit of kit!
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I had no idea you had such sophisticated bits of kit. When I mentioned rollers I totally assumed they would be ones you push manually! Not a pro grade engine powered beast!
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Yeah you need the weight. 1 Ton would be probably standard to most wickets but we get by with a little less because the soil is good. It really is an art. Balancing the moisture level. You want a good wicket to be rock hard on top and moist underneath. Gives you some good, consistent bounce.
We’ve had the Australian Under 23’s at our club. They loved it. It was in winter and Test players like Peter Hanscombe thought it great!
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Mate I will be seeing you working at the gaba soon then? 
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I don’t want to work as on Disability pension but have the skills. I could do the wicket if I wanted a job…meanwhile park cricket is so good for me. I can play at 50 years old and do a job. I can do my couple of half days a week and really enjoy what I do…
I know the previous head groundskeeper at the Gabba. I’ve been out to the middle of the empty stadium and looked at the test wicket. Really was amazing but if I wanted to earn money I could. I don’t want the stress and the associated heartache…still. Volunteering is good. Keeps me busy and in the game.
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That sounds like a good philosophy mate. Well done!
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Well you definitely work hard. Good for you
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