In the sport known as cricket, the 22-yard or pitch is a major focus point. This is mainly because that is where the bat and ball interactions take place.
However, how does a team captain select the batting or fielding option based on the pitch after winning the toss? This is where the skill of interpreting a cricket pitch comes into play.
In case you are an amateur cricketer or a follower and wish to learn pitch reading, then you have come to the perfect spot.
So, in this piece, let us find out the ways of reading a cricket pitch.
Reading a Cricket Pitch
If you are an amateur, you might find it hard to read a cricket pitch at first. Gradually, you will master it as you get to play cricket on various surfaces.
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Now, to make it clear what is happening on the pitch, there are some factors that you need to be familiar with before making the decision to bat or bowl.
Factors behind Understanding a Pitch
1. A Damp Pitch
If the pitch is moist, the ball will be slow and won’t bounce enough for good stroke production. That means the batter has to be good in timing and patience. The bowlers, on the other hand, might not easily be able to hit the perfect length thus giving the batsmen a chance to go for a big hit off the delivery.
One can check if the pitch is wet or moist just by gently rubbing their palm on it. If moisture is sensed, then the pitch is wet.
Low-scoring games are the result of such pitches, which might be hard for both teams to find their plans in the first place.
2. Grass Cover on the Pitch
In addition to other indicators, grass cover on the pitch is also a significant factor in the decision to bat or bowl. It is like a signal that reveals the condition of the pitch.
If the grass is green and thick, then the bowlers will have some advantage from the surface. In contrast, if the grass is brownish, then it indicates that the pitch is dry, hard, and suitable for batting.
3. Check the Toughness of the Pitch
One of the vital aspects of a cricket pitch is its hardness level. If a pitch is hard enough, then it will be very easy for the batters to score runs as the ball will be coming onto the bat with quite force. Such a pitch also provides bounce and pace which in turn helps the batters to pick the right moment for making the shot and hitting the ball into the gaps.
But, it might be only the opposite with a soft and sticky pitch where the batters will have to struggle a lot due to the irregular bounce. The uncertainty might give the bowler a bit of an edge over the batter.
4. Cracks and Footmarks
As play continues, one may observe the emergence of cracks and footmarks on the pitch. This could be a contributing factor to the spinners being able to hold the ball and also be able to get some spin on the surface.
The occurrence of cracks and footmarks is common in Test matches and can be a deciding factor on the 4th and 5th days of the match.
Conclusion
These factors need to be taken into consideration before making the decision to bat or bowl and then a conclusion must be reached. It is absolutely necessary to have the skill of pitch reading, as it will enable you to plan better and remain one step ahead of your rival.
