The Full Motty

The Full Motty

By David Goodjohn

The Adams and Stewart soil binding test (ASSB) or Motty test as it is commonly known is still a very
good method for measuring soil strength. Particularly in that it can be simply done at home without
the need to use specialist equipment.
Soil strength is very important when selecting clay loam dressings for cricket pitches. The potential
success of the wicket is directly related to the percentage of clay content found in the soil profile of
the cricket pitch.
There are a number of clay loam suppliers in the UK who specialise in blending and mixing loam
soils for use in the turf grass industry. The clay content in these products can vary immensely
ranging anything between 22-32%. The larger the percentage of clay content in your soil, the
stronger the binding strength will be, however, having the highest clay content is not always the
criteria to base your requirements on.
You need to look at the age of the users and the standard of cricket you are catering for. Using
higher clay content soils also require a greater input of resources. High clay content loams tend to
shrink and swell more readily, thus you need to control the rate of drying by the use of covers and
sheets. Not all clubs have these resources available, therefore, it may be more desirable to use
lower clay content loams which are easier to manage.
The performance of your wicket is dependant on a number of factors:
• The choice of clay loam being used
• Type of square construction
• Preparation and maintenance procedures
• Machinery, equipment and resources available
• Knowledge of the Groundsman
The combination of these factors will dictate the condition of your square and the performance of
your pitches, however, the end result will be influenced entirely by the type of clay loam you manage
and the percentage of clay material there is in the soil profile.
As a groundsman it is important to accurately identify your soil classification. Ideally, you should take
a number of soil samples from your square at a depth between 20-100mm.
These samples should be labeled with the date and location taken and sent to a laboratory for
classification, measuring for Particle Size Distribution (PSD). This will give you a breakdown of the
clay, silt and sand percentages in your soil. Once identified you will be in a better position to manage
your square.
Once you know your clay content percentage, you can then decide on what clay loams are desirable
for you. This is where the ABBS /Motty test becomes an aid to choosing a compatible loam.
The concept behind the Motty test is to determine the strength of the sample taken on your square
and compare it with other loam samples, thus finding a compatible soil for use on your facility.
The process begins with the taking of some soil extracted from your square, obtaining enough
material to produce several Motties, remember you need enough soil to create a ball approximately
20mm (3/4") in diameter for this test.

Procedure:
(a) Crumble the loam down into a workable size (less than 2 mm). Remove all fibrous matter from
the sample (i.e. living roots, grass plant leaves, dead and decaying matter and thatch, any small
stones). Transfer half a cupful to a clean plate.
(b) Moisten the sample with distilled water if available (otherwise with tap water) until it can be
moulded by hand. Water must be added slowly to ensure that the soil does not become too wet to
mould.
(c) Mould vigorously by hand over a period of 5 minutes to destroy all aggregation. Add more water if
necessary.
(d) Roll the soil into a ball and place it on a clean plate. Cover the soil with a wet cloth (wrung out by
hand) and leave standing for 2 hours.
(e) Re-mould the soil by hand, making sure that it is plastic but not sloppy. It should have the
consistency of putty and have little tendency to stick to the hands. It should also readily mould into a
ball without forming cracks.
(f) Roll into a sausage shape approximately 12.5 mm (0.5 inch) in diameter and cut into sections 25
mm (1 inch) long.
(g) Carefully mould each section into a ball and then roll between the palms of the hands.
(h) Place the Motty balls onto clean plates and allow to air dry in a cupboard for 7-10 days.
(i) Place each dried ball in turn on a bathroom scale and slowly exert pressure (with a piece of wood)
until the ball breaks. Make a note of the reading when the ball breaks.
(j) Discount the lowest value in each set and obtain the mean value of the rest.
(k) Readings between 45 and 90kg (100 to 200lbs) have been shown to be optimum for British soils.
 Remove vegetation Add Water

Place Motty on bathroom

Roll into Sausages
scales
The table below details classification of clay content and breaking strength (ASSB) values (V I
Stewart 1994).
ASSB / Motty Value Equivalent clay content for well made Motties Strength category
113Kg (250lb) and over Over 55% Exceptionally Strong
91-113Kg (200-250lb) 44-55% Very Strong
68-91KG (150-200lb) 33-44% Strong
45-68Kg (100-150lb) 22-33% Moderately strong
23-45Kg (50-100lb) 11-22% Weak
9-23Kg 20-50lb) 4-11% Very weak
Under 9Kg Below 4% Non- binding

 Soils which disintegrate at a pressure below 45 kg are not suitable for use on a cricket pitch.

 Soils which disintegrate between 45kg and 70kg are suitable for club pitch use.
 Soils which disintegrate between 70kg and 90kg are suitable for county and international pitch
use.
 Soils which disintegrate at pressures greater than 90kg tend to be too strong for cricket pitch use

Apart from local materials, there are several recognised loam suppliers in the UK: GSB, Binder,
Surrey, Ongar, Mendip, Kaloam, Boughton. Use of Marl is not encouraged nowadays as it can cause
layering. A simple modification to the motty test was proposed and endorsed by Professor W A
Adams who recognized the potential to assess loam compatibility, particularly when top dressing.
The modification involves joining two half motties of different loams together along the flattened face
of each hemisphere. It is important not to trap any air along the joining surfaces, as this may affect
results.
If there is excessive differential shrinkage between the two halves on drying the Motty will duly
separate, thus the soils are not compatible. If both loam types remain strongly bonded and only
break after pressure, these two loams are likely to be compatible.
The Motty test is a simple reliable field test that can play an important part in determining the
selection of clay loams for cricket. Groundsmen should be made aware of this technique and readily
try it out to assess their soil strengths.
Having a better understanding of soils is paramount in the management of natural grass pitch
facilities.