Marl

A dense chalky clay loam soil, with about a 30% content of clay, and which was a reddish-pink colour due to the presence of the mineral hematite, iron oxide (Fe2O3), within the soil. It was originally proposed, in 1939, by the MCC that the inclusion of marl within a top-dressing mixture could be used and that this became a popular ingredient in the topdressing for preparing cricket pitches, being especially popular during the 1950s to 1970s.

A guide application rate was equivalent to about 0.54-1.1kg/m2, ideally being mixed in with 3.3-5.4kg of clay loam soil to give an overall application rate of 3.8-6.5 kg/m2. This would all be applied as part of the autumn renovation activity to a square. (Dawson, R.B. (1959), ‘Practical Lawn Craft’, 5th Edn, p.254).

The use of the material resulted in a more alkaline surface, encouraging earthworms and weed invasion. It was also used as a short-term fix to create a suitable batting surface, but it masked underlying problems with maintenance practices which would cause problems later on. In particular, it resulted in the formation of undesirable soil layers and grass root breaks, all of which reduces the playing quality and longevity of prepared cricket pitch.