Since becoming the ECB's Pitch Consultant in 1997 Chris Wood has been responsible for providing the ECB Cricket Department with key information on all matters relating to pitches, playing surfaces and groundsmanship in both first-class and recreational cricket – including monitoring international match pitches and practice areas.

It is often said that a game of cricket is only as good as the pitch it is played on, which is why we have teamed up with the ECB's Pitch Consultant to help local cricket clubs get the best advice and tips on how to prepare and maintain their pitches.

As the NatWest Cricket Club's Pitch Doctor, Chris Wood will be providing a series of helpful video guides for recreational club groundsmen covering everything from marking out a pitch at the start of the season to putting the pitch to bed in the winter and general maintenance in-between.

The following videos are currently available, so simply click on the videos above to receive expert advice first hand from Chris Wood.

         - Pre-Season Rolling and Squaring

         - Pitch Preparation

         - Final Preparation & Marking

         - Pitch Renovation: Plugging

         - Pitch Renovation: Repairing Foot Holes 

         - Pitch Renovation: Over Seeding and Calibration 

         - Pitch Renovation: Follow Through and General Pitch Repair 

         - Nets Maintenance