What is a Cricket Pitch? How does it Impact the Match?
The cricket pitch is where the main action takes place. It is the area of ground between the wickets. Depending on the pitch type, there are many decisions to be taken. A captain has to decide the playing 11, what to do after winning the toss, and many other things depending on the pitch.
There have been debates on the cricket pitch types in the recent past. An ideal pitch is one where there should be fair competition between the bat and the ball. If one department has an advantage, the match is tilted in favor of that particular department, sometimes making the contest uneven and dull.
Role of Pitch
Except for the full toss and a beamer, all the other balls land on the pitch and do something. The ball can move in different directions depending on the bowler, weather, type of ball, and pitch condition. Different bowlers expect different outcomes from a pitch. For example, fast bowlers would love to see some pace and bounce, while spinners would love a track that turns a bit.
If the pitch is good for batsmen, then you can bet on them by getting a betting ID from a trusted betting ID provider.
Type of Pitches
The following are types of common pitches:
Slow – Mostly Turners
Slow pitches mainly aid spin bowlers. These types of pitches are most common in the Indian subcontinent. Batters who can combat the spin are more likely to succeed on this pitch. If it is too slow, it allows batters to rock onto the backfoot and play comfortably. Spinners like Ravindra Jadeja, who can bowl quicker, are suitable for such conditions.
Grassy – Seam and Swing
The Green pitches are primarily found in countries like England and New Zealand. Such pitches assist seam and swing bowlers. A bowler like James Anderson can rip any batting lineup on such wickets.
If there is exaggerated seam movement, a batter will struggle to put bat to ball. With respect to batting, the key thing is to watch the ball out of hand, play the ball as late as possible, and leave when required.
Bouncy – Best for Back-foot Play
Bouncy cricket pitches are suitable for back-foot play. Although such pitches suit the bowling style of fast bowlers, the extra bounce can also help spinners get batsmen out at forward short-leg, leg-slip, or slip.
Hard and bouncy cricket pitches are found in South Africa and Australia. Pace bowlers like Mitchell Johnson and Dale Steyn were very dangerous on such pitches. Most sub-continent batters will struggle on such cricket pitches, as they are used to playing on the slow, spinning tracks.
Types of Pitches in Different Countries
Every country has specific types of pitches. Following is a list of countries and the common types of pitches found there:
Concluding Thoughts
A pitch can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game. Depending on the pitch, a captain decides whether to bat or bowl. There are various other things, like playing 11, to consider. The ICC also rates pitches after every match; this depends on numerous factors like a fair competition between bat and ball, and many more.