The Cricket Pitch (Source: Twitter)
Cricket is one of those few skill based sports which depends a lot on the external factors. Yes, the ability of a batter or a bowler determines the winner. But, how the weather is on a given day, how strong is the wind blowing and the most important of all how the pitch is on which the game is being played goes a long way in determining who will be dominant in a cricketing duel.
The pitch, generally of 22 yards, often decides how the game will flow, who will dominate a match and what is the importance of the toss. It is probably most impactful factor apart from the players in a cricket match.
So, if we talk about the pitches in cricket, there are different types of pitch that cricket offers us and the flow of the game is determined accordingly. In this article we will try and cover most types of pitches seen in cricket.
Green Pitch
Green Pitch (Source: Twitter)
Nature: These type of pitches are covered with fresh grass, as a result of which it wears down slowly. It provides longer assistance to bowlers who can swing the cricket ball and stays like that for most part of a game.
Favourable for: Swing Bowlers
Mostly found in: New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland
Most Suitable: Test or ODI cricket
Dry Pitch
Dry Pitch (Source: Twitter)
Nature: A dry pitch will have no moisture or grass in it. These type of pitches are more prone to breaking and wearing down quickly. At the beginning of a match it is most suitable for batters, but as the game progresses the spinner start to show their dominance in these type of pitches.
Favourable for: Spin Bowlers
Mostly found in: India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
Most Suitable: Test or ODI cricket
Wet Pitch
Wet Pitch (Source: Twitter)
Nature: The wet pitches are those which have more moisture in them usual. This might happen because of generally humid conditions or the failure of pitch covers. Wet pitches are most unpredictable with the bounce, which favours bowlers who are 'kiss the deck' type or skiddy of the surface.
Favourable for: Skiddy bowlers
Mostly found in: West Indies
Most Suitable: Limited Overs cricket
Dead or Flat Pitch
Flat Pitch (Source: Twitter)
Nature: Flat or Dead pitches do not have any type of moisture or grass in them. In these kind of tracks the ball hardly does anything off the surface and is considered a greave yard for the bowlers.
Favourable for: Batters
Mostly found in: Pakistan
Most Suitable: Limited Overs cricket
Hard Pitch
Hard Pitch (Source: Twitter)
Nature: Hard Pitches have the perfect amount of moisture and grass in them. The provide pace and bounce to the players. It is the sporty wicket providing a bit for players of all trades.
Favourable for: All types of players
Mostly found in: England and Australia
Most Suitable: All formats of the game
The pitch is one of the most important factor in case of cricket. But how a pitch will behave depends on some other factors as the dew or the dryness of the weather, but that remains a discussion for another time.
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