We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
- Thread starter BigCricket
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mas cambios
Active Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
I was thinking that when I read the headline.
In some ways it is a bit silly that people lay into the ground staff when it rains. They, like everyone else want the game to go ahead but sometimes the weather beats them.
It seems that the weather in the UK has changed in recent years with downfalls becoming heavier. This is the problem and all but the very best drainage systems will struggle from time to time.
I was thinking that when I read the headline.
In some ways it is a bit silly that people lay into the ground staff when it rains. They, like everyone else want the game to go ahead but sometimes the weather beats them.
It seems that the weather in the UK has changed in recent years with downfalls becoming heavier. This is the problem and all but the very best drainage systems will struggle from time to time.
mas cambios
Active Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
Saying that, it was pretty nice day in Cardiff and probably a lot of other places - sods law as always.
Saying that, it was pretty nice day in Cardiff and probably a lot of other places - sods law as always.
sadspinner
Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
Do you think county sides are so rich to finance such a project. Even wimbledon has only just finished construction of a roof, that has taken them a long time. I doubt they would be able to play tests due to the red ball and artificial light problems, maybe the pink ball will help. Wuld the ball swing more indors do you think, especially people who play indoor cricket?
gundalf7;349622 said:
Do you think county sides are so rich to finance such a project. Even wimbledon has only just finished construction of a roof, that has taken them a long time. I doubt they would be able to play tests due to the red ball and artificial light problems, maybe the pink ball will help. Wuld the ball swing more indors do you think, especially people who play indoor cricket?
mas cambios
Active Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
If the ECB thought it was a viable project then they would certainly look into it. As it stands the biggest issue with covered stadiums is the grass and maintaining decent growth, something which is vital for cricket.
There are also secondary considerations, as you mentioned for example - will the ball do more/less in a covered environment? I see the light being less of a problem as it will be consistent, although their will be differences in illuminance when compared to daylight.
sadspinner;349634 said:
If the ECB thought it was a viable project then they would certainly look into it. As it stands the biggest issue with covered stadiums is the grass and maintaining decent growth, something which is vital for cricket.
There are also secondary considerations, as you mentioned for example - will the ball do more/less in a covered environment? I see the light being less of a problem as it will be consistent, although their will be differences in illuminance when compared to daylight.
sadspinner
Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
As far as i know the amsterdam arena has a roof that opens and closes. It is were ajax amsterdam play. I am not aware tey had big problems with turf. I presume it is the same with centre court at wimbledon.
mas cambios;349640 said:
As far as i know the amsterdam arena has a roof that opens and closes. It is were ajax amsterdam play. I am not aware tey had big problems with turf. I presume it is the same with centre court at wimbledon.
mas cambios
Active Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
The advantage they have is that they can open the roof, although even this is not certain to avoid problems.
I'm not an expert on turf but from memory they have to choose the grass variety very carefully, as well as the soil and base etc. All of this is fine for an outfield but trickier for a wicket.
A lot of these places will also have grass on pallets, which they bring in for games. Not the case at Wimbledon (iirc) but it's my understanding that the roof will be kept open most of the time. Not an issue so much with tennis but can you imagine the uproar if one team had an open roof to bat/bowl under then the rain came and the other side had to play under the closed roof.
The advantage they have is that they can open the roof, although even this is not certain to avoid problems.
I'm not an expert on turf but from memory they have to choose the grass variety very carefully, as well as the soil and base etc. All of this is fine for an outfield but trickier for a wicket.
A lot of these places will also have grass on pallets, which they bring in for games. Not the case at Wimbledon (iirc) but it's my understanding that the roof will be kept open most of the time. Not an issue so much with tennis but can you imagine the uproar if one team had an open roof to bat/bowl under then the rain came and the other side had to play under the closed roof.
sadspinner
Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
Yes that's why cricket is so much more interesting than other sport. So many variables. As regards the wickets i think for the tests or 1 dayers they used drop down wickets ie layed down before matches. As far as I know they did it as they play aussie rules soccer, but the wickets did not play so well.
mas cambios;349650 said:
Yes that's why cricket is so much more interesting than other sport. So many variables. As regards the wickets i think for the tests or 1 dayers they used drop down wickets ie layed down before matches. As far as I know they did it as they play aussie rules soccer, but the wickets did not play so well.
someblokecalleddave
Well-Known Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
There's all sorts of issues re roofed stadiums, you've only got to look into all the problems at Wembley and other stadiums Docklands Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia there's issues of location and the axis and direction of the sun and the primarily the fact that such venues have to create revenue through being multi-purpose facilities. So with regards cricket and the ever dwindling crowds I reckon that's a no-go. As with most things in life these days it's the pressures of commercialism and the need to turn a profit. In years gone by I'm sure they'd have let the pitch bed in properly before saying it was ready?
There's all sorts of issues re roofed stadiums, you've only got to look into all the problems at Wembley and other stadiums Docklands Stadium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia there's issues of location and the axis and direction of the sun and the primarily the fact that such venues have to create revenue through being multi-purpose facilities. So with regards cricket and the ever dwindling crowds I reckon that's a no-go. As with most things in life these days it's the pressures of commercialism and the need to turn a profit. In years gone by I'm sure they'd have let the pitch bed in properly before saying it was ready?
sadspinner
Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
They actually left the wickets uncovered and the spinners thrived on them.
someblokecalleddave;349654 said:
They actually left the wickets uncovered and the spinners thrived on them.
mas cambios
Active Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
You're probably right but the Headingly work was delayed by 6 weeks, although the fixture was booked and already arranged. Then again, if it hadn't rained I'm sure there would be no debate!
It seems that the biggest issue is sunlight and making sure the grass gets the correct amount of UV. Wimbledon has a roof which maximises natural light and will actually aid some parts of the court.
someblokecalleddave;349654 said:
You're probably right but the Headingly work was delayed by 6 weeks, although the fixture was booked and already arranged. Then again, if it hadn't rained I'm sure there would be no debate!
It seems that the biggest issue is sunlight and making sure the grass gets the correct amount of UV. Wimbledon has a roof which maximises natural light and will actually aid some parts of the court.
Kram81
Well-Known Member
Re: We're fighting a losing battle - Regan
Docklands Stadium in Melbourne has a retractable roof and it had a LOT of problems with the turf initially though they seem to have pretty much sorted it out now.
Australia played a short one day series against Pakistan there around 2000, would these be the only international matches played indoors?
Docklands Stadium in Melbourne has a retractable roof and it had a LOT of problems with the turf initially though they seem to have pretty much sorted it out now.
Australia played a short one day series against Pakistan there around 2000, would these be the only international matches played indoors?