How do I look after and cover a synthetic pitch?

Q: How do I look after and cover a synthetic pitch?

Guidance Note 02 (Playing Pitches) says: Construction. A synthetic pitch is short pile synthetic grass matting glued to a base pavement. The base should be designed to hold its level tolerance for a minimum design life of 20 years. Rigid pavements, typically concrete, have a proven track record in Australia. Pile. Products commonly used for cricket pitches have a pile height of 9mm to 13mm, without sand or crumb rubber fill. Life. If regularly maintained, matting lasts approximately 6 to 8 years, depending on off-season covering and usage. Maintenance. Sweep regularly, and water blast at least every two years to refresh the pile. Hybrid turf surrounds can be considered to give safe, consistent bowler run-ups. Watering. Synthetic pitches need no watering for play. Off-season covering (Cricket Australia recommends two options): Synthetic pitch covers. They must meet AFL-Cricket Australia approved synthetic grass performance and testing standards. Rubber granules are broomed in when laid and vacuumed out before lifting. Do not store covers wet, because trapped moisture can damage them. Soil over heavy duty industrial plastic. This is generally managed by the council or club. Noted problems are injury risk to untrained volunteers, machinery tearing the grass, and a raised surround that can cause unpredictable ball deviation or a "swimming pool" effect after rain.

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Accepted Answer

Guidance Note 02 (Playing Pitches) says:

Construction. A synthetic pitch is short pile synthetic grass matting glued to a base pavement. The base should be designed to hold its level tolerance for a minimum design life of 20 years. Rigid pavements, typically concrete, have a proven track record in Australia.
Pile. Products commonly used for cricket pitches have a pile height of 9mm to 13mm, without sand or crumb rubber fill.
Life. If regularly maintained, matting lasts approximately 6 to 8 years, depending on off-season covering and usage.
Maintenance. Sweep regularly, and water blast at least every two years to refresh the pile. Hybrid turf surrounds can be considered to give safe, consistent bowler run-ups.
Watering. Synthetic pitches need no watering for play.

Off-season covering (Cricket Australia recommends two options):

Synthetic pitch covers. They must meet AFL-Cricket Australia approved synthetic grass performance and testing standards. Rubber granules are broomed in when laid and vacuumed out before lifting. Do not store covers wet, because trapped moisture can damage them.
Soil over heavy duty industrial plastic. This is generally managed by the council or club. Noted problems are injury risk to untrained volunteers, machinery tearing the grass, and a raised surround that can cause unpredictable ball deviation or a "swimming pool" effect after rain.