BOWLING RUN-UPS IN CRICKET NETS
A perennial problem suffered at many sports fields around Australia is:
What do we do about the run-ups for the bowlers in the cricket nets?
If the bowlers are running up on natural grass, they will soon turn it into dirt with their boots, and then this area becomes a groove in the ground, and then a trench over time. With rain, the trench can fill with water and become muddy. Even when this dries, the trench is left, which can be dangerous for the bowlers and a trip-hazard for others.
This problem is even worse if the run-ups encroach over the boundary line & onto the playing field. In these cases, the damaged area becomes a problem on match-days for the cricketers, and also for the footballers in winter, with possible injuries and insurance worries.
Traditionally, the cricketers have thrown temporary rubber mats onto the run-ups, to help reduce the damage.
Problem Solved!
Maddocks Sports has used our experience with the All-seasons surface to develop a long-term solution for bowling run-ups.
A concrete slab is laid, and we cover this with a rubber shock-pad, with a high pile non-abrasive grass surface over the top. This grass is filled with rubber granules to give extra softness. The result is perfect for the cricketers, and also for the footballers in winter. While this solution is not cheap, it is permanent, and it WORKS!
A cheaper alternative is to simply use a compacted crushed-rock base, usually with some cement mix included, as the base instead of a concrete slab.
We have installed a number of these around Melbourne, with great success. Call us for a quote!
