Clegg hammer boost for Indian pitches

The Clegg Impact Hammer, considered the most effective tool for measuring the hardness of a surface and predictor of bounce, is set to be used for preparing the pitch for the IPL-9 final to be held at Bengaluru on June 29. The equipment has been vital in preparing cricket pitches in Australia and England, but the technology is still alien to India.

P.R. Viswanathan, south zone representative of BCCI pitches committee, said this is the first time it’s being used in India. “It is also well known in Europe for preparing football pitches and golf courses,” said the Chennai-based curator.

Viswanathan said if used effectively Clegg Hammer could help overcome the issue of inconsistent bounce. “The current method used to test the hardness of the surface is subjective, whereas the Clegg Hammer provides empirical reading that ranges between 200-400 for Indian conditions. The higher the reading, the better the quality of pitches. Based on the reading, the strip can be watered and rolled enough to get the desired result,” he said.

Viswanathan said he would suggest all associations buy the equipment ahead of the domestic season. “The data acquired from the equipment will help prepare pitches consistently. Many associations are likely to embrace this technology. We can see a marked improvement in pitches for the domestic tournaments,” he added.