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After 117 years, the turf that provided the setting for Bradman's triple century in a day, Boycott's hundredth 100 and Botham's miracle Ashes innings of 1981 is being dug up.

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And Mr Boycott OBE was there in the flesh to cut up the first slice digging up a piece of turf at Headingley Stadium where the pitch is set to be transformed.

Former Yorkshire and England colleague Brian Close also joined in the cutting.

Chunks of the old turf will now be sold off to cricket club members as well as to Leeds Metropolitan University which will create its own grassy area.

The former Yorkshire and England legend said: "The drainage is the important thing here. When rain stops you want to play quickly. The English Cricket Board has given £600,000 to put drainage in.

"It's not been a great year rain-wise but it's not the first and it's not the last so at least this will really improve things."

The drainage project is set to take two and a half months.
Andy Fogarty, head groundsman at Headingley, said: "Practically every game we have had has been affected by the weather.

"You have seen the effects of drainage at Lord's. They put a lot more money into it but ours is pretty similar and hopefully we will get the same results."

The club will completely strip the outfield to make drainage improvements. Only the batting square will remain intact.

The same work was carried out at Lord's cricket ground.