Since 1991
Born of necessity.
Proven at Buffalo Park.
South Africa's first locally-manufactured cricket pitch roller was developed in the Eastern Cape in 1991 — because sporting sanctions meant there was no other way to get one.
Sanctions had cut South African sports grounds off from overseas turf equipment manufacturers. Engineers in Grahamstown set out to design and build the country's own cricket pitch roller — one with the specific job of preparing a cricket square, not a repurposed road roller.
The first machine was commissioned. Its defining feature was already in place: the weight could be changed between roughly 1.2 and 2.4 tonnes simply by filling or draining the rollers with water.
Les Burdett — the groundsman brought to South Africa by the SA Cricket Board — inspected the roller in Grahamstown and reported back to SA Cricket.
The Daily Dispatch of East London ran a colour photograph of the roller preparing the pitch at Buffalo Park, ahead of the India v South Africa One Day International.
The Cape Times reported on the quality of the Buffalo Park surface, in an article quoting journalist Owen Smith.
“To achieve maximum compaction and bounce, a heavy roller of no less than two ton must be used together with correct preparation techniques. Such a roller is made in Grahamstown at a local engineering company.”
Les Burdett — SA Cricket Board groundsman, October 1992“The pitch for the Buffalo Park encounter was one of the best produced for the entire night series — being very hard and allowing for the ball to come to the bat. As a result it produced cricket of a high quality.”
Owen Smith — Cape Times, 22 December 1992Happy Customers
Supplied nationwide
Protea rollers have gone to the country's biggest grounds, and to the clubs, universities and schools that make up the rest of the game.
Major Grounds
The Wanderers, St George's Park and Newlands.
Clubs
Smaller clubs including Hamilton's, alongside many others around the country.
Education
Universities and schools nationwide, maintaining their own squares.
Further Reading
On rolling cricket pitches
Guidelines for Rolling in Cricket
Peter Shipton and Dr. Iain Jones, published 2009 by the Centre for Sports Surface Technology, Cranfield University.
Pitch & Outfield Construction Guidelines
Recommended guidelines for the construction, preparation and maintenance of cricket pitches and outfields at all levels of the game.