UKZN’s Sugan Pillay is KZN’s Groundsman of the Year

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UKZN’s cricket groundsman, Mr Sugan Pillay, supported by his Gardens and Grounds team, has been named as “Groundsman of the Year” by the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union.

This is thought to be the first time that UKZN fields under the management of the Sports Administration, in collaboration with Campus Management Services, have been recognised for their excellence by the Cricket Union.

The Union manages and administrates all league cricket in the greater KwaZulu-Natal region with matches taking place on various fields throughout the province. The pitch, particularly the area where bowlers and batsmen are most involved, is vital to how a match will evolve over the course of a contest. To a large extent, the pitch condition can make or break a competitive match.

Preparing pitches is a highly skilled profession, requiring understanding of different weather conditions, soils, levels, grass, and watering, among other issues. Apart from the pitch, the rest of the field also needs to be in pristine condition to allow players to display their skills to the best of their ability.

Words by: Logan Vandeyar