It is a safe bet that many of those who flock to Wellington Oval tomorrow and Friday to watch the annual cricket classic between Somerset and St. George's will have no idea what it takes to prepare the all-important wicket which helps to determine the final score, and neither did Lifestyle's Nancy Acton until she went behind the scenes to find out on behalf of all the innocents. Here is what she learned.

When the Cup Match players walk onto the field for the first time tomorrow, they will enjoy the culmination of many months of exacting, patient work by the unsung heroes of pitch preparation: Sheridan and Clarence Raynor and Colin (Tonka) Thompson, as well as many willing volunteers, who unfortunately also had to deal with last-minute repairs to the pitch thanks to what is believed to be an unprecedented act of vandalism.

The entire process began in March with top dressing of the pitch, starting with a sifted fresh clay base, followed by re-seeding, fertilising, carefully regulated watering and rolling before it was handed over to Mother Nature for a final baking in the searing summer sun.

“It's like firing pottery,” former Somerset captain Sheridan Raynor says of the wicket. “The sun is our brick oven. We mould the wicket and then let the sun do its work. The hotter the sun, the better it is.”

In terms of the clay, he explains that it is superior to Bermuda soil because the latter has “too much loam soil in it” and will not bind.

Along the way, a carefully measured watering programme “fattened” the grass, which at the peak of perfection was then rolled several times until the trio decided that the clay was properly bound with the water, and the wicket was smooth.

“Grass holds moisture and subsoil together, plus the grass helps to give the wicket more pace,” Mr. Raynor says.

He also notes that, whereas in the ‘old days' the pitch was hand-rolled by several men, today motor rollers make the job easier.

A week or so later, during which light sprinklings were applied, the pitch became properly dried out from the bottom up.

“That is where you get plenty of bounce and speed with the green top,” Mr. Sheridan Raynor says. “The aim is to have a wicket as quick as possible because slow wickets don't help the game much. Most of the world has fast pitches.”

By tonight, the trio will have put the final touches to the pitch and formally turned it over to St. George's Cricket Club president Neil Paynter, although it will also be under constant Police supervision following the vandalism episode this week. Tomorrow morning, however, the wicket specialists will be back on site from 6 a.m.

“We always watch the first four overs,” Mr. Thompson says. “The moment we see the even bounce at both ends we're satisfied. After that the pace of the wicket is determined by the weather.”

Naturally, the trio are not giving away any secrets, but do speak generally about their mission.

“We like to prepare the wicket for the batsmen and the bowlers, but that is not to say what you can expect tomorrow. That's a horse of a different colour,” Mr. Thompson hints.

“There are certain things we can do to assist either the batsmen or the bowlers, but as Sheridan will tell you, the groundsman can only prepare the wicket to the best of their ability, and from there on Mother Nature takes over.”

He notes that the recent damage to the wicket, while disheartening, was not insurmountable, and will certainly not jeopardise the match.

“Basically, what we faced was a few scattered patches, mainly on the part of the wicket that is out of play, meaning not inside the popping crease, which is the sensitive area, so it was only a matter of mixing a clay paste and filling up the holes, as a mason would.

“In fact, the disturbed individual who did it may have helped St. George's' cause by spreading oil on the wicket, which will obviously make it faster, and that's what they are looking for.”

What the Raynors and Mr. Thompson did not do, however, was create a dangerous wicket.

“Our main goal, and one of the things Sheridan always told me, is first and foremost the safety of the batsmen - ensuring that the surface is level and with an even bounce,” Mr. Thompson says. “A good wicket encourages the batsmen to go for their strokes and also assists the bowlers.”

Among others providing invaluable assistance were Mr. Paynter, who not only provided personal staff to take care of the outfield and supplied all the necessary materials, but also arranged for “Boxhead” Raynor to sift truckloads of clay and deliver them to the field.

“They all put in many hours and should be thanked for their contributions,” Mr. Thompson says.

The former Warwick, Somerset Bridge and Western Stars player also pays tribute to Sheridan Raynor, among others, who have helped him to become as knowledgeable as he is today about wicket preparation.

“I have been helping Sheridan at Southampton for the past four to five years and it has been an honour to pick up all of the knowledge he has shared,” he says. “In fact, I have now reached the stage where I can go out there and prepare a wicket for a match on my own.

“Over a weekend I can also stop by and lend a hand along with Clarence Raynor, who has been a major help to us, especially given the task at Wellington Oval.”

Like Mr. Thompson, Sheridan Raynor began building his expertise from a very early age, beginning with his uncle Harley, who would glean knowledge from groundsmen on tours and transmit them to his nephew when they returned home. In addition, he benefitted from being sent to the West Indies by Government where he helped to prepare a Test wicket.

“They taught us a few tricks down there,” the former Somerset captain smiles.

Indeed, the septuagenarian has been preparing wickets for “30 to 40 years” and Somerset/St. George's wickets for “a few” years, which, when added to all he knows about the game generally, makes Sheridan Raynor a formidable asset.

For his part, Mr. Thompson's fascination with turf preparation evolved through living in the White Hill area of Somerset, where the youngster watched the likes of “Toe” Outerbridge, former Somerset player Timmy Edwards, and students of Sheridan Raynor at work.

He also “had the privilege” of helping “Bull” Swan at Seabreeze Oval, until one day he advised Mr. Raynor at Southampton that was interested in learning more.

“Thank God, we've been waiting for someone like you for years,” the older man responded.

Explaining that there is “a drastic shortage” of groundsman in Bermuda, which apparently accounts for why the pitches are not kept in peak condition, Mr. Thompson has never regretted his decision to become one of them. While he encourages others to become involved, he admits that it turf preparation isn't for everyone.

“It is definitely a science, and you have to love it,” he says. “If you don't love what you are doing you won't last because at times it can be very trying.

“Long before a game is played you are on the pitch during the week. If the weather is against you, then it really becomes challenging to keep it in the condition you want it to be in.”