Cricket Pitches are one of the most exciting topics regards this world-famous game. Mostly all games played around the globe don’t depend on one such type of factor called pitch. But when it comes to cricket, the pitch is the ultimate factor. The behavior of the pitch can change the whole game. So every cricketer is well aware of what kind of pitch they will play on that particular day. But how does a cricket pitch made, and how many types of cricket pitches are there. Let’s jump into this mysterious topic.
What Is Cricket Pitch
The 22 yards (20.12 meters), primarily light brown area placed precisely center of the cricket ground, is called a pitch. The width of the cricket pitch is 10 feet (3.05 meters). So all the things that are supposed to happen in cricket will happen in this 22 yards area. However, on some grounds, the artificial pitch is used. These are called non-turf pitches. They should be at least 58 feet long and a minimum of 6 feet wide. These are made outside rather than on the ground and installed on the ground before the match.
Soil Of The Cricket Pitch
Generally, a cricket pitch is made up of four types of components.
- Clay Content
- Sand Content
- Fine Sand Content
- Silt Content
So usually, the clay content is less than 50% of the soil used to make a cricket pitch.
The sand content is present at less than 5%, and the fine sand uses less than 20%. Finally, the silt content is present at less than 20%.
Usually, we found silt content on the riverside to make the soil of the cricket pitch. The pH value of cricket pitch is present between 6.30 to 7.30 is used to mix these four contents, mostly normal water. Generally, we have black soil and red soil pitches as significant across all cricket pitches.
The Black Soil pitch has a high amount of clay content and a low amount of sand content. It gives more elasticity to the pitch. We all know that black soil absorbs water well, which prevents the pitch from drying out quickly. So the top layer of the pitch is so hard. Also, the pitch color is dark brown.
The Red Soil pitch has a low amount of clay content and a high amount of sand content. That reduces the elasticity of the pitch. Also, the sand content absorbs less water, so the pitch dries faster and makes the entire pitch top layer dusty. Hence, the cracks on the pitch increased as the match progressed. The red soil pitch looks red, primarily found in MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. So far, we have learned about the soil of the cricket pitch. Now, let’s discuss types of cricket pitches.
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Different Types Of Cricket Pitches
1. Flat Pitch or Dead Pitch
The name says itself the pitch is dead. That means there is no life on the pitch. These flat pitches are made by rolling down all the grass on the pitch. It means the grass on the pitch is trimmed very short and less exposed to watering. Hence there is no moisture on the top layer of the pitch surface. It makes the whole pitch dead.
Therefore, no assistant can be obtained from the pitch, whether a pace bowler or a spin bowler. Once the ball is pitched, it comes on to the bat very nicely. Thus it is effortless to score runs on a flat pitch. Centuries will score on this flat pitch if the batsman accurately plays according to the bowler’s line and length. And such flat pitches are primarily found in the subcontinent.
Consequently, these flat pitches are primarily found in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Also, we can see these flat pitches in the Gulf countries along with the West Indies and Zimbabwe. But if the same flat pitches are used for Test cricket, they will transform into spin pitches on Day 4 and Day 5. Because the pitch is exposed to sunlight for the first three days, it causes small cracks on the top layer of the pitch; eventually, those cracks will become more significant.
Bowling for three days also forms the footprints of bowlers on both sides of the pitch. That causes the ball to turn more often when it is pitched on those footmarks or cracks. That is why it is challenging to bat on Day 4 and Day 5 pitch. So these flat pitches are primarily used for ODI and T20 cricket. You can identify these flat pitches by knocking on the pitch and rubbing your palm on the surface of the pitch. If the pitch is hard and less moisturized, it is set to be a flat pitch. Also, this flat pitch is mostly in black or dark grizzled color. It is one of the most seen cricket pitches.
2. Dusty Pitch or Slow Pitch
It is also known as slow pitch. So the dusty pitch is usually prepared with red soil. It has no grass and moisture on it. The dusty pitch is completely dry. Due to this, the top layer of the surface is very brittle. Also, the pitch doesn’t roll too much before the match. Dusty pitch is primarily suitable for slow bowlers. It means this dusty pitch is like a paradise for spin bowlers.
From day 2 of a test match, spin bowlers can rejoice in the carnival of wickets. The dusty pitch top layer is soft, so it breaks easily. It means when the ball hits the surface, it grips and comes onto the bat very slowly. Also, the ball turns swiftly. We see such dusty pitches in the subcontinent. However, these are only used for Test cricket. If such a pitch is used in limited-overs cricket, it will be prolonged, so 250 runs will also be a good target.
However, this pitch will help spinners and those who bowl change of pace in limited-overs cricket. Because the ball grips, and the ball comes very late on to the bat. If the ball is thrown at 130 kmph, it behaves like a ball thrown at 120 kmph. When the ball is pitched, the brittle nature of the pitch will observe the speed of the ball. So those who release the ball with rotary motion will have more advantage.
You can identify this pitch by rubbing your palm on the pitch because it was utterly dusty. Some dust will stick to your hand. If the top layer of the pitch is disturbed, it means it is a slow pitch. It is one of the unique kinds of cricket pitches.
3. Green Pitch
A pitch is always green when there is living grass on it. That means there is life on the green pitch. Also, grass on the pitch holds water in its roots. So the moisture on the green pitch is high. As well as implying grass, the top layer of the pitch is solid. Because the grassroots hold the soil on the top layer of the pitch, it will prevent the pitch from breaking easily. Therefore if the ball lands on this green pitch, it will bounce more along with the movement. It means these green pitches are well suited for pace bowling.
If any bowler releases the ball seam correctly at a 90-degree angle, find lots of help from the pitch. Green pitches are primarily found in England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand Countries. So-called SENA countries. These pace pitches are identified with our eye vision. Also, rubbing on the pitch will make the whole palm wet. Accordingly, we see these types of cricket pitches mostly in Test cricket.
However, if the conditions are sunny, the life on the pitch may go away, and it may become a bit flat. That’s when batting becomes easy. But it can be challenging to bat on this green pitch when there are overcast conditions. So the four countries we mentioned above are also a little farther away from the equator. So they make green cricket pitches because they have less sun exposure.