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New guidelines launched recently by Cranfield University and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) could save over 700,000 hours of cricket pitch preparation time through more effective use of rollers.

The guidelines are the result of four years of research by Cranfield's Centre for Sports Surface Technology commissioned by the ECB, which aimed to develop a scientific understanding of the rolling of cricket pitches in order to optimize pitch preparation. The research marks a significant shift from current practice and understanding in cricket.

Chris Wood, Pitches Consultant, England and Wales Cricket Board, said: "This is research that I'm pleased to say will go a long way to dispel the myths and legends and instil sound and economical rolling practices for the production of quality pitches across all levels of cricket."

Working with ECB and the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), over 100 groundstaff across England and Wales were consulted throughout the research process to identify the scope for improvement. Results demonstrated that in first class cricket, the number of roller passes (defined as the movement of a roller over the target area of a pitch in one direction) over the pitch ranges from 5 to 280, allowing plenty of scope for optimization.

Dr Iain James, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Centre for Sports Surface Technology at Cranfield, said: "This research will lead to better pitches and more efficient pitch preparation. We calculated that if all clubs in England and Wales were to target their rolling using these guidelines, the reduction in rolling time with save a total of over 700,000 hours of rolling per year and reduce the carbon footprint of cricket by an equivalent of a small housing estate. In addition, there will be cost savings in terms of fuel."

The research is incredibly detailed and fascinating, and most cricket fans who have absolutely nothing to do with ever rolling a pitch in their life are likely to enjoy reading the research paper.

Those of you scientifically inclined will like it even more.

It reviews the role of air and moisture, and how rolling the pitch differently can impact the playing surface - throwing a bundle of knowledge in the direction of all you swing fans. It also dispels many a myth about why a heavy roller is preferred over a light one during an innings break in a test match, all well explained with the use of empirical data and pictures - especially useful for those of us not used to reading research papers anymore.

A further chapter looks at the impact of rolling on the soil, and the role of the grass cover on a pitch.

Finally, there are a couple of sections specifically designed for those of you in the profession of running a cricket club.

Personally, I even enjoyed reading the Glossary! Learned so many new terms I didn't know existed.

A detailed look at the guidelines can be obtained here.

We do warn you though, the document is 35 pages long!