Pitch Square at National Stadium being resurfaced

Oct 17, 2021 Sports

– Should be ready for ICC inspection

The Pitch Square at the Guyana National Stadium is currently being resurfaced following a prolonged break in cricket locally. Works are ongoing on the entire square which should be completed in time for inspection by the International Cricket Council (ICC) leading up to the 2022 U19 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the West Indies.

Head Groundsman Wazim Habib points to re-laid pitch square.

It will be the 14th edition of the tournament, and the first to be held in the West Indies. The 50-over competition will see 16 teams taking part and Guyana is expected to be one of the host countries.
Head Groundsman at the National Stadium, Wazim Habib told Kaieteur Sport that the resurfacing of the pitch square will enable faster growth of grass and uncomplicated preparation.
Habib informed that due to constant rainfall, the pitch had sunk and this had caused water to lodge on its surface which hampered grass growth.
“This also caused a mass to build up on the pitch surface, and it’s difficult to remove when doing initial preparation, which takes places three weeks prior to a match. But with the square mounting like one and a half inches, this problem will be resolved,” he added.
Grass was planted on Monday last and the ground staff is currently watering the area to enable faster grass growth. Prior to the planting of grass, the pitch was rotavated (To break up or till (soil) using a rotavator) where two inches of soil was added.

The square being resurfaced.

“We want to be up there in terms of pitch readiness in time for inspection for the U19 World Cup. This is something we have to do now so the pitch will be ready,” he said.
Habib who has a wealth of experience in pitch preparation spoke about the importance of maintaining the pitch which includes watering, fertilising, grass growth, patching, rolling and cutting.
West Indies won the U19 World Cup for the first time in 2016 with Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer at the helm. (Zaheer Mohamed)

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