Elite Turf Craftsmanship Behind a Sheffield Shield Final

At Green by Nature, we are incredibly proud of Head Curator Kenji Steele and his team for delivering a spectacular wicket at the CitiPower Centre for the Sheffield Shield Grand Final. Preparing a five-day pitch for a national blockbuster is a massive undertaking, requiring Kenji to manage a precinct of 68 wickets while leveraging over a decade of experience across international and elite domestic venues. His strategic approach involved selecting the final pitch a month in advance and using precision techniques like verti-mowing, graduated rolling, and moisture control with hessians to create a hard, dense surface.

Kenji’s success underscores the “Green by Nature differentiator.” It’s about more than maintenance; it’s about strategic preparation, technical excellence, and the ability to perform when the eyes of the nation are on your work.

Congratulations to Kenji Steele and the entire grounds team at the CitiPower Centre. Your commitment to the craft made the 2026 Sheffield Shield Grand Final a true showcase of elite sports turf management.