Skip to content
Call today! 1800 055 515.
  • Buy Turf
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
Instant turf Victoria
  • Turf Varieties
    • Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo
    • TifTuf
    • Sir Grange
    • Eureka Premium VG Kikuyu
    • Nullarbor Couch
  • Lawn Care Products
    • Turf Varieties
    • Aftercare Products – All
    • Lawn Fertiliser
      • Liquid Lawn Fertiliser
    • Weed Control
    • Weed Prevention
    • Pest Control
    • Colourant
  • Guides
    • Types of Turf
    • Measure & Order
    • Site Preparation
    • Lay Turf
    • Lawn Care Guides
      • Mowing Guide
      • Fertilising Guide
      • Watering Guide
      • Seasonal Lawn Care
      • Weed Identification
  • Projects
    • Commercial
    • Our Turf Projects
      • Commercial
        • Holiday Parks
        • Parks and Gardens
        • Sporting Fields
        • Land Developments
      • Residential
    • Testimonials
  • About Us
    • Why Coolabah Turf
    • Careers
    • Community Sponsorship
    • Turf Delivery
    • Turf Warranty
  • Where To Buy
    • Buy Online
    • Areas We Service
    • Local Suppliers
    • Bunnings Warehouse
  • Blog
    • Vlog
    • Buy Turf
    • FAQs
    • Contact Us
  • BUY TURF
    FREE QUOTE
    Trade Portal

How to create the ultimate backyard cricket pitch

BACK
News
|
November 17, 2022

Summer is upon us and the sweltering Aussie heat calls for one thing and one thing only: backyard cricket. Whether you’re a novice or not, you can easily up the ante for some family fun by creating a backyard cricket pitch worthy of Warney’s spins. Let us show you how!

Steps to setting up the perfect backyard cricket pitch

Preparation is King

A little preparation is all it takes to ensure you’re scoring 6s in your backyard come summer time. Before you begin, you need to ensure you’re working in a space with a healthy covering of grass. Spring and summer time are the best bet, as this is when the grass is in an active growing phase. For this reason, it’s best to avoid mowing in the pitch during winter.

Our turf-loving experts recommend couch style turf as the perfect base for your pitch, and hardy varieties with ultra-fast self-repair rates like our TifTuf can be mown low and recover quickly when they are actively growing. Kikuyu and buffalo work well too, however be sure not to mow too low with buffalo as, unlike couch, its growth system does not include rhizomes to produce grass shoots below the cover, so regrowth can be a headache.

Choosing the top spot

Placement of the pitch is important and you should also consider how the space will be used. The more space the better (obviously) but if your players are younger, this won’t be as important. If yard space is tight, consider running the pitch on an angle or having it pushed as far back as possible so bowlers can get a good run-up. And because we don’t want any smashed windows - also consider the direction of play. Have a look at where the batsman might hit and make sure windows and cars will stay out of the firing line.

Every backyard space will have its own unique characteristics that give your pitch and game personality, whether it’s beside a shed, or underneath a hills hoist or a big leafy tree. The best spot might also offer an automatic wicket-keeper, this could be a wall or a fence or even in front of the garage. If it’s not a possibility, the trusty wheelie bin is always a classic option.

Mowing in your pitch

It’s important to get the lawn on the pitch nice and short - for bounce and of course so it more closely resembles the MCG. If you’re ultra-serious, using string lines will help create a professional cut and a cylinder mower will provide a beautiful, lightly rolled surface.

To achieve the low cut, pristine pitch of your dreams, lower the height of the mower blades, but make sure you don’t mow down to the dirt which would be catastrophic for both your cricketing goals as well as your turf. Depending on the thickness of the grass, you may have to go over this a few times with the mower. Also, remember to keep the catcher on to ensure the surface is smooth and free of clippings.

Setting up

Now that your pitch is perfect, it’s time to set up for a match. Wooden stumps or bails can be knocked straight into the ground at the end of the pitch you decided on earlier to ensure windows and cars don’t end up as cricket collateral. Metal stumps can also be placed in position, but if you don’t have the hardware, create a quick set of stumps by taping duct tape or masking tape to a wall or fence. Some marking paint will do the trick for the all-important crease (hot tip: use the full length of the bat, including the handle, to measure out the length of the crease).

Now all you have to do is pick your team and figure out who is batting first!

Caring for your pitch

Once tea break is called it’s important to give your pitch some care. Aerating and deep soaking are the first steps, and mowing it regularly will keep it looking its best. Regular fertilising schedules and filling in any holes or low spots are important too and depending on how excessive the wear and tear is, consider giving the pitch some recovery time.

Coolabah’s Backyard Cricket Rules

First ball not out, one-hand-one-bounce, and if the dog gets hold of the ball, it’s the bowler’s job to wipe off the slobber.

For more helpful lawn care tips or advice, or to invite us over for a game of backyard cricket, get in touch today.

Your Guide to Cylinder Mowers: should you buy one? Why do mushrooms grow in my lawn?
BACK TO WHAT'S ON

Recent posts

Watering in Winter
Should I Water My Lawn in Winter?
June 7, 2025 No Comments
» Read More
Dormancy4
Understanding Dormant Grass: Why Some Lawns Go Brown In Winter
May 22, 2025 No Comments
» Read More
Beach house with instant turf installed
Can I Lay Turf In Autumn?
April 1, 2025 No Comments
» Read More

Get lawncare tips

Share the love

Latest aftercare products

product-chemforce-propyzamide
Chemforce Propyzamide
October 23, 2024 No Comments
» Read More
product-DART SELECTIVE LAWN HERBICIDE CLUSTER
DART Turf Control
September 16, 2024 No Comments
» Read More
exceed_2l_front
Exceed Hose-on Liquid Fertiliser
March 5, 2024 No Comments
» Read More
GO TO SHOP

Join our mailing list

Want to have the best looking lawn in the street? Sign up to our mailing list and receive seasonal lawn care tips from our Coolabah Turf professionals.

Connect with us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin Youtube
SEE OUR TURF

About Turf

  • Turf
  • Lawn Shop
  • Getting Started
  • Benefits of Turf
  • Ultimate Guide To Lawn Care & Lawn Maintenance
  • Turf
  • Lawn Shop
  • Getting Started
  • Benefits of Turf
  • Ultimate Guide To Lawn Care & Lawn Maintenance

Our Shop

  • Instant Turf
  • Aftercare Products
  • Delivery
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Instant Turf
  • Aftercare Products
  • Delivery
  • Terms & Conditions

Lawn Care

  • FAQs
  • Guides
  • Webisodes
  • How To Mow Your Lawn
  • Weed Identification Guide
  • FAQs
  • Guides
  • Webisodes
  • How To Mow Your Lawn
  • Weed Identification Guide

Seasonal Care

  • Turf Installation
  • ColourGuard
  • Lawn Watering Tips
  • Lawn Without Water
  • How & When To Fertilise Your Lawn
  • Turf Installation
  • ColourGuard
  • Lawn Watering Tips
  • Lawn Without Water
  • How & When To Fertilise Your Lawn

Local

  • Local Suppliers
  • Our Community
  • Happy Clients
  • Partners
  • Local Suppliers
  • Our Community
  • Happy Clients
  • Partners

Featured Products

Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass
Sir Walter DNA Certified Buffalo Grass
BUY NOW
Sir Grange Grass
Sir Grange Zoysia
BUY NOW
  • Instant Turf
  • Turf Suppliers
  • Turf Farm
  • Turf Suppliers in Melbourne
  • Instant Turf in Melbourne
  • Instant Turf in Mornington Peninsula
  • Grass for Sale
  • Lawn for Sale
  • Grass Fertiliser
  • Lawn Fertiliser
  • Liquid Lawn Fertiliser
  • Buffalo Grass Fertiliser
  • Buy Turf Online
  • Turf Rolls & Turf Slabs
  • Eureka Kikuyu Turf
  • Sir Grange Zoysia Grass
  • Sir Walter Buffalo Grass
  • Tiftuf Bermuda Grass
Copyright © 2023 Coolabah Turf 
Privacy | Terms of Use | Popular Searches Hide Popular Searches
Proud member of LSA 
Designed, built and powered by Kingfisher
Digital Marketing by King Kong

Please call our team for next available delivery date.

Call 1800 055 515 to discuss your specific requirements…

Tiftuf is currently unavailable to order online.
Please contact us on 1800 055 515 to discuss your specific requirements…

Nullarbor Couch is currently unavailable to order online.
Please contact us on 1800 055 515 to discuss your specific requirements…

Sir Grange is currently unavailable to order online.
Please contact us on 1800 055 515 to discuss your specific requirements…

Scroll to Top