Cricket Services
NZSTI is here to support you in achieving great cricket surfaces for all levels of the game
Consultancy
NZSTI provides a range of consultancy services to cricket venues throughout New Zealand directly or through their regional or district council or local territorial authority.
Through our team, we have a range of experts in all areas of cricket wicket and outfield management as well as providing general agronomic advice.
Site Testing
NZSTI can undertake the following site testing and reporting for your cricket venue:
- Autumn Health Check – Renovation
- Spring Health Check – Prepare to play
- NZ Cricket Warrant of Fitness
NZSTI Cricket Block Health Checks
Ensure your cricket block is in top condition with NZSTI’s comprehensive cricket block health checks. Our autumn and spring services provide detailed insights and actionable plans to maintain and enhance your cricket block.
Autumn Health Check
Our autumn health check includes a thorough inspection and a series of performance tests to identify key focus areas for your renovations including:
- Surface Evenness: Identifying low spots with a straight edge over the entire block not just the typical focus areas of the crease and runups.
- Profile health: Core sampling and visual inspection to assess organic matter depth, layering, and clay binding issues.
- Turfgrass Quality: Visual inspection and NDVI assessment to evaluate turf colour, species composition, and weed composition.
- Soil Testing and Interpretation: Comprehensive soil tests to identify nutrient deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances.
Autumn Renovation Programme
Based on the test results, we provide a detailed renovation programme, including:
- Calculations for the required quantities of clay to maintain block levels.
- Soil test interpretation and annual fertiliser plan.
- Pest, disease, and weed management plan.
Spring Health Check
Prepare for the cricket season with our spring health check, designed to assist ground staff and cricket associations:
- Soil Moisture and Bulk Density: Assessing soil moisture content and bulk density will help assist ground staff in preparing pitches. Note – this test is also suitable for blocks with premier level cricket being played.
- Species Composition: Visual inspection and NDVI assessment to evaluate turf colour, species, and overall quality.
Spring Preparation Programme Similar to the autumn programme, but tailored to preparing your block for play.
Based on the test results, we provide a detailed renovation programme, including:
- Soil moisture and bulk density interpretation with a focus on the playing season demands.
Remote Agronomy Support
Send samples to our laboratory for testing and receive a trends over time report.
NZ Cricket Warrant of Fitness
NZSTI can perform a full NZC approved warrant of fitness testing and reporting. This service is only suitable for first class venues.
Construction and Design
From inception to sign-off, we are equipped to manage your block or outfield construction project.
Specifications and drawings
- Preparation of concept, working and as-built drawings
- Surface performance criteria
- Drainage system specification
- Irrigation system specification
- Irrigation water supply and water quality assessment
- Turf species selection
Materials selection
- Clay selection, rootzone, blinding sand, gravel, and topdressing sands
- Clay composition
- Soil suitability
- Drainage materials
Project management
- Client – contractor relationship management
- Supplier selection
- Monitoring construction standards and tolerances
- Onsite material quality assurance
- Maintenance programme until handover
Laboratory
NZSTI provide a range of laboratory tests including:
Clay composition, rootzone sands, topdressing sands, blinding sands
- Cricket clay test report (clay percentage, shine & dust potential)
- Bulk density
- Particle size distribution
- Organic matter content
- Moisture release curve
- Hydraulic conductivity
- Calcium carbonate content
- pH
Nutrient testing
NZSTI maintains a strategic link with Hill Laboratories Ltd, offering a complete soil test interpretation and fertiliser recommendation service from a chemical analysis of root zones, plant tissue and irrigation water.
Pest and disease diagnostic service
The NZSTI laboratory provides routine pest and disease analysis.
