The pre-rugby season agreement between the EP Cricket Board (EPCB) and Crusaders/Technikon Rugby Club that no rugby would be played during the winter on the St. George's park pitch, has paid massive dividends.

According to EPCB stadium manager Andrew McLean, the agreement was reached in the light of the pitch restoration programme embarked on in preparation of the 2003 World Cup campaign.

"The agreement helped me and my team a lot. I am three months in advance with preparation because we could start immediately after the cricket season with the work we normally had to postpone until August 15 when we traditionally took over the field from Crusaders/Technikon Rugby Club."

He said the pitches are in a magnificent condition compared to the scrum trampled pitches he used to take over in the past.

"We could plant on the bare patches right at the end of the season and also had ample time for hollow-tining."

Hollow-tining is a process where holes are drilled into cricket pitches to relieve compaction, aerate the pitch and to put new bulli (cricket pitch soil) and fertiliser into the pitch.

McLean pointed out that the EPCB is in the middle of a dynamic pitch restoration process designed to not only pay dividends in the long run, but to also have world-class quality pitches ready for the 2003 World Cup.

"After we embarked on a process of dedicated pitch management some years ago and the process of digging up three of the seven pitches, we find that the new pitches are maturing well and we are looking forward to play on them. With the added bonus of not having rugby on our pitches this year, I am confident that St. George's will be named amongst the best in the country."

McLean said he should thank Crusaders/Technikon Rugby Club for the good will that they have shown to assist EP Cricket in their World Cup preparation.

Released by newzwise on behalf of EP Cricket.

For more information, phone Andrew McLean on 0832126695 or Piet van Niekerk at newzwise on 0832998065.

© EPCB