Dry Weather Advice

15th May 2025 | Claudia Vaughan-Johns

Keeping Cricket Flowing: Practical Water-Saving Tips for Clubs

The 2025 cricket season has begun under dry and challenging conditions, with spring rainfall across Wales 35% below average. The Environment Agency has already flagged concerns about water availability, and some water companies have issued guidance on reducing water use.

While cricket doesn’t use as much water as some other sports or industries, water is essential to preparing safe, playable pitches. Recreational clubs across Wales are now looking at how they can do their part to conserve water—while still ensuring matches can go ahead on surfaces that are safe for all involved.

Why Cricket Pitches Need Water

Preparing a good cricket pitch requires more than just mowing. The clay-based soils used in cricket squares need moisture to be rolled flat, helping achieve the smooth, hard surface required for consistent and safe bounce.

Without proper watering:

Pitches can crack as the clay dries, leading to unpredictable bounce and player safety risks.
Grass cover can deteriorate, accelerating wear and reducing ball consistency.
Rolling becomes ineffective, making it harder to prepare a quality playing surface.

Maintaining grass cover also requires irrigation, especially during dry spells or after covers have been used. Healthy grass not only improves playing quality—it also helps protect the surface against damage and uneven bounce.

Useful tools and articles

The Grounds Management Association Toolkit Cricket Home | Grounds Management Toolkit

Effective and Efficient Watering in Hot, Dry Weather | Grounds Management Toolkit

Preparing Pitches Under Drought Restrictions | Grounds Management Toolkit

ECB advise for clubs on conserving water England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) - The Official Website of the ECB

Five Practical Steps Clubs Can Take

To help clubs navigate the dry conditions, here are five key actions that will help conserve water and protect pitch quality:

1. Target Water Where It’s Needed

Avoid blanket watering. Use hand-watering or targeted methods to ensure water only goes where it's needed—usually just the pitch under preparation. This reduces runoff and improves pitch quality. The Grounds Management Toolkit has great tips on watering effectively in hot weather.

2. Water at the Right Time

Timing is crucial. Watering in the evening or early morning reduces evaporation loss. Watering in the middle of the day can waste up to 50% of applied water due to heat and wind. If you have access to irrigation tools like soaker hoses or travelling sprinklers, set them for cooler times of day.

3. Use Covers Strategically

After watering, use flat sheets or dome covers to help retain moisture in the soil. Just be careful not to leave them on too long in hot conditions—grass still needs light and air to stay healthy.

4. Conserve Water Indoors

Water-saving measures aren’t limited to the pitch. Fix any leaking taps or pipes in the clubhouse, reduce shower times, and make sure taps are turned off when not in use.