To Koro or to Deep Scarify Is that the answer

1
To Koro or to Deep Scarify?Is that the answer?

• To discuss the more radical methods now used to
  improve the playing performance of cricket
  pitches.
• Terry Charlton

2
Introduction

• What are we trying to achieve?
• How can achieve it?
• Brief outline of the procedures
• (a) Deep scarification
• (b) Koro Field Topmaker
• Any alternatives?
• Who decides?
• Aftercare

3
What are we trying to achieve?

• To provide a true, safe surface with pace and
  bounce, that is fair to both batsmen and bowlers

4
What prevents us achieving our goal?

• Thatch is usually the problem especially at the
  lower levels of cricket. What is thatch?

5
How do we remove the thatch?

• There are two widely accepted processes
• Deep scarification
• Koro Field Topmaker

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Two types of deep scarification equipment
(1) Pedestrian

• Sisis Rotorake 600

Graden GS04
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Two types of deep scarification equipment
(2) Tractor Mounted
Graden GBS1200

• Sisis TM1000

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Two types of deep scarification equipment
(2) Tractor Mounted
Koro

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Results of Deep Scarification
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Koro Field Topmaker

• Designed by a Parks Manager in Rotterdam,
  Holland.
• It is a surface planing machine with fixed L
  shaped blades
• Depth of cut variable for different applications
• Debris is removed cleanly from pitch surface into
  trailers, dumpers etc
• Levels as well as removing thatch and unwanted
  vegetation

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Koro Field Topmaker

• Fraise Topping removal of vegetation and soil

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Koro Field Topmaker

• Fraise Mowing removal of some vegetation only

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Any alternative?

• Yes the trusty old turf cutter
• For smaller projects or restricted budgets
• Single pitches
• Make sure that the problem is removed
• Break up the base THOROUGHLY
• Add loam in stages and mix in with machinery
• Firm in THOROUGHLY compact tractor, heeling,
• Make sure you have extra loam just in case

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Any alternative?

• MEDOMSLEY CRICKET CLUB 1999

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Any alternative?

• MEDOMSLEY CRICKET CLUB 1999

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Who decides?

• What is the best method to use?
• Seek advice from ECB Pitch Advisor, IOG, local
  CRICKET groundsmen that have experience of this
  type of work, specialist contractors
• Vital to take soil samples for examination and
  testing well in advance of project
• Compatibility of new loam with indigenous soil
• Order early - suppliers, cricket board and
  contractors

17
Aftercare

• Irrigation
• Germination sheets
• Cutting of new sward
• Security fencing
• Rolling in Spring
• Aeration????

18
What prevents us achieving our goal?

• Layering is also a potential problem.