Cricket Pitch Covers
Cricket pitch covers are designed with the end goal of helping ‘get the game on’ – in short, enabling the pitch to remain dry enough for cricket matches to go ahead whatever the weather in the run-up to or during the game.
Traditionally fashioned from tarpaulin or oiled cloth, they were heavy, difficult to deploy quickly and compromised the grass plant by not allowing it either to ‘breathe’ or for sunlight to reach it. This meant that their use was limited to a few hours before the game and wet periods during play – when the awkward and heavy nature of old-fashioned covers often hampered their being put out in time to save the day.
Over the past couple of decades, however, modern materials and a range of new designs of cricket pitch cover have seen state-of-the-art systems evolve that are at the core of the cricket groundsman’s armoury and are helping clubs from grass roots level to first class save games that would otherwise have to be abandoned. This means that investing in a good cricket pitch cover goes beyond benefiting the pitch – it can help the club decrease the risk of lost revenue due to cancelled fixtures and help engage players; in turn boosting membership morale and recruitment.
Modern cricket pitch covers are split into two basic categories – flat sheet ground covers and raised cricket pitch covers. Both of these styles have their pros and cons, and each individual ground will favour a certain style or combination of covers depending upon its geography. Alongside the goal of helping ‘save the day’ when rain interrupts play, the tactical use of ground covers can aid the groundsman in the longer term objectives of keep the pitch dry – and the grass plant alive. By alternating the use of mobile and flat sheet covers, you can control how the pitch dries out through evaporation, transpiration and drainage. Combined with an effective rolling programme this results in a surface that gives the desired hardness – and, in turn, performance.
In its niche as cricket pitch experts, with the practical guidance of a former first-class groundsman at the helm, total-play Ltd has developed a range of class-leading cricket pitch cover solutions that cover all the variations currently available on the market. These include:
The Climate Cover System™
Still the lightest and only truly breathable cricket pitch cover on the market. These attributes, alongside its semi-translucent fabric, mean that it can be left on the pitch for extended periods without compromising plant health or playing surface quality. This proven performer is an outright market leader and can be found in use at Lords, the ECB National Academy, test match grounds, county grounds, local league clubs and schools across the country.
See the Climate Cover System Range Here
Rain Cover
For clubs on a budget, this flat sheet cover is hard to beat. Specifically developed to meet market demand for a high performance, budget cricket pitch cover solution it is made from semi-translucent material that is 100% waterproof – designed to allow light to reach the grass plant and enable photosynthesis.
See more about our Flat Sheets
Rain Defender Mobile Pitch Covers
To provide the broadest range of ground cover options for clubs, total-play has also developed a range of mobile cricket pitch covers. The Rain Defender range of mobile cricket pitch covers has been designed to provide solutions to this challenge to suit a variety of budgets and situations; including PVC and steel-topped options, and with both dome and apex styles on offer.
See the Mobile Pitch Cover Range
Total Growth Cover
TGC creates a proven germination and propagation environment, increasing the percentage of seed germination and dramatically speeding up the grass plant establishment period. It allows newly seeded areas to be watered whilst creating air circulation and retaining moisture.
See more about our Germination Protection
All are available exclusively online via total-play’s online store, The Cricket Ground Shop
