PITCHES

Cricket pitches are mainly natural grass with infrequent replacement of the playing surface. Cricket pitches are unusual in that they have to last for up to 5 days of play and the way that the pitch will change over time is an essential part of the sport. The English cricket board has published a definitive paper on pitch properties and performance. The properties of an ideal cricket pitch have been identified as
Bounce, technically measured as the vertical rebound height of a ball dropped from 3 metres. Pace, the degree to which a ball is slowed on hitting the pitch.


Consistency.  
Consistency of bounce is reported to be the most valued characteristic of a good pitch.
Turn. This refers to the ability of the ball to turn away from the line of trajectory. A thin grass covering has been calculated to have up to 30% less friction on a bouncing ball. However it is believed that the most significant contribution to turn comes from pitch damage as the game progresses.
Research has also identified the ideal soil as having between 27% and 33% clay. Less than this will hinder binding of the grass. More than this will make for a heavy pitch which takes longer to dry out and is more difficult to handle. There should be between 3% and 8% of organic matter in the soil.Above 8% there will be problems with water retention and soil strength.
Cricket pitches are often viewed as a long term investment. A poor year of maintenance can influence the performance of the pitch many years later.
Cricket pitches occasionally use under soil drainage 



FOR MORE DETAILS  HOW A CRICKET PITCH MADE .. GO TO THIS LINK

http://usa.cricinfo.com/db/ABOUT_CRICKET/PITCHES/PREP_OF_PITCHES.html#ANCHOR14

Generally we have two types of cricket pitches. They are slow pitches and fast pitches.

The slow cricket pitches are defined or can be scripted in this way " if a ball pitches in short length or little bit in good length such that if the difference of releasing speed of the ball and when the ball just hits the bat is more than the 20kmph then it is a good slower pitch ".

Example

Indian subcontinent pitches.

Similarly the fast cricket pitches can be scripted in this way " if a ball pitches in short length or little bit in good length such that if the difference between the releasing speeds of the ball and when the ball just hits the bat is less than the 20kmph then it is a good pitch ".

And if the difference of speed of the ball is even lesser than 15kmph then they are deadly good fast pitches.

Example

pitch at WACA, Perth, Australia.

The lesser the speed difference the faster the pitch. And the greater the speed difference the slower the pitch.

Examples 

In India in 2007 India vs. Pakistan at Bangalore the releasing speed of the ball was calculated as 132kmph which was bowled by Ishant Sharma in good length. And the speed of the ball when it hit the bat was 112kmph.

The difference is 132kmph-112kmph=20kmph

=========> Slower pitch.

Similarly in the same year India vs. Pakistan at Kolkata, the releasing speed of the ball was calculated as 141kmph which was bowled by Shoiab Akthar in short length. And the speed of the ball when it hit the bat was 114kmph.

The difference is 141kmph-114kmph=27kmph.

=========> Worst slower pitch.

You can say it as a dead cricket pitch.

CRICKET PITCHES IN AUSTRALIA

Australian cricket pitches are bouncy, faster, skiddy natured rather than seaming.

The greater the clay contents in the pitch the greater the bounce they get. This is the reason why the pitches in Australia are bouncy than any other pitches in this part of the world.

The pitches at Sydney (SCG) and Melbourne (MCG) are little bit dry and slower. They are nearly similar to Indian subcontinent pitches. 

These two cricket pitches generally support spin, bounce and seam rather than skidding (Fast).

The pitch at Brisbane (Gabba) is a good bouncy and fast track.

The pitch at Hobart in Tasmania is a bouncy and flat track where the ball nicely comes to the batsman with out any problem. 

The batsman can play every shot in his book. In fact a good batsman can play a ball with timing.

The pitch at WACA, Perth, in Western Australia is the world’s fastest track. When you compare the other cities with Perth, Perth is a isolated place which is located in Western part of the Australia far from the east 2000 miles away.

The Western Australia is a hot place and highly enriched with gold, diamond and other mineral deposits. The soil is different from the Eastern part of the Australia. Probably due to its highly enriched mineral deposits and different climatic conditions the pitch at WACA is hard and rock type.

The cricket pitch at WACA is as hard as, you can compare it with a smooth hard cement turf.

The bounce at WACA is probably is more compared to other cricket pitches in Australia and even may be other parts of the world. And the bounce at WACA is in such a way that even if the ball pitches little bit in fuller length the batsman feels difficult playing the ball on his front foot. Most of the times every ball at WACA makes the batsman to play on the back foot.

Generally at WACA every ball most of the times after pitching zips away from the face or shoulders with fast and furious.

You can say it as a lively cricket pitch or in fact it is a living cricket pitch with so much of juice present in it.

The bounce in most of the Australian pitches is true and you can trust the bounce every time. And mostly there will be no word called “UN EVEN BOUNCE”.

As most of the cricket pitches in Australia are lively and fast the ball nicely reaches to the batsman and timing of the batsman improves. If you once settle down on these pitches you can time the ball exquisitely and can go for fours and sixes or any classical shot with out making any extra effort.

Example

The great VVS.Laxman always enjoyed batting on fast and bouncy tracks. Because of his old traditional classical style of batting and his wristy work he plays every shot with exquisite timing with out making much effort.

He always enjoyed batting on Australian pitches and scored massive runs. Unlike the modern batsman who depends on power playing VVS.Laxman used to depend on his timing the ball and made to look so easy, freaky and simple on these fast and bouncy pitches.

People often think that it is the fast bowlers who get favoured on these fast pitches but at the same time it is the batsmen who also enjoys batting on these kind of fast tracks as much as bowlers. Once the batsman sets on these pitches then he can time the ball from out of this world and can play every shot in his book.

CRICKET PITCHES IN INDIAN SUBCONTINENT

Traditionally Indian subcontinent cricket pitches are dry, slow and flat natured. Most of the cricket pitches in subcontinent are not fast, bouncy, skiddy and grassy.

Feroz shah kotla (New Delhi), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhade (Mumbai), Chinna swamy (Bangalore) what ever it may be nearly every pitch in subcontinent is a slow pitch.

But some of the pitches like at Mohali, Chandigarh and other places are little bit fast, skiddy, bouncy and grassy. It’s a rare case.

The reason why these pitches are slow is simple. Because of high temperatures, hot humid climatic conditions the soil becomes dry, loses most of its moisture and not only losing its moisture after that scenario as the temperature goes on increasing the pitch (soil) starts sweating and loses completely whatever the remaining juice is present in it.

At the end of the day it becomes a dead pitch.

Most often people think that it’s the fast bowlers who get troubled on these slow pitches but at the same time it is the batsmen who also get troubled on these kind of pitches as much as bowlers.

It is really difficult for the batsman to get settle down on these slow pitches because the ball doesn’t reach the bat as it is expected or you can say it doesn’t reach the batsman in time, the batsman loses his timing feels difficult to connect the ball when he is new to the crease, might lose his concentration and there by the form.

Generally on these slow pitches most of the times every ball after pitching slows down and also makes the batsman to play every ball so lately.

And also most of the bowlers will make sure that they always pitch the ball little bit fuller in length because if they pitch the ball in short length or even some times in good length the batsman gets ample of time to pull the ball or can smash the ball powerfully for a four or six.

SWING OF THE BALL

Generally swing of the ball doesn’t depend on type of pitches like whether it may be slow or fast or any kind of pitch. Swing of the ball always depends on shiny part of the ball, speed of the wind, and presence of moisture in the pitch.

As long as shine is there and moisture in the pitch the ball goes on swinging.

The swing of the ball doesn’t depend on type of pitches like slow or fast because the swing of the ball actually happens in the air before or after hitting the pitch but not when the ball actually hits the pitch.

Generally the cricket pitches in England are mostly favourable for swing than any part of this world.

The swing of the ball in England generally sustains for longer period. Because of cold climatic conditions the moisture in the pitch and air stays for longer period and also there will be presence of breeze regularly there by the ball doesn’t become rough very easily in those conditions, resulting in the swing of the ball happens more and continuous for longer period.

PITCH MEASURMENT

Generally the ground or field can be divided into three parts. They are

22 yards pitch.

Infield or Inner Circle.

Outfield or outer circle or boundary circle.

PITCH

The length of the pitch from wicket to wicket has to be 22 yards. And no less or more than 22 yards should be there.

INFIELD

From the center of the pitch the radius of Inner Circle or Infield has to be 30 yards. You can call it as a 30 yards Inner Circle.

OUT FIELD

Relating to boundaries ICC has clear indications and rules. From the center of the pitch the radius of outer circle or the length of the boundary should be minimum 60 yards and maximum 90 yards.

Example

In a 60 yard ground we have In circle=30 yards and Out field=30 yards.

In a 90 yard ground we have In circle=30 yards and Out field=60 yards.

In sub-continent pitches the radius of outer circle or the length of the boundary from the center of pitch generally ranges from 65 to 80 yards.

Before knowing the DEW FACTOR lets understand the concept of moisture and condensation.

Moist

Slightly wet, damp ;

Moisture

It is a condensed vapor or gas diffused in the soil (pitch) itself or condensed on a surfaces (pitch) or condensed in the atmosphere.

Condense

To change a vapor or gas in to liquid or solid ; to make more dense or compact ; to make more solid ;

DEW

Drops of condensed moisture forming on cool surfaces especially at nights or in atmosphere or in the soil (pitch) itself ; the falling of DEW.

From above you might got the sense of DEW.

In winter seasons at nights especially in subcontinent you can see a drops of water forming on a open surface grass, which is nothing but the condensed moisture or DEW.

DEW is not only a just moisture but it is more denser, condensed in the form of small drops.

Now you can define it as a small drops of water forming on a surface especially at nights in winter seasons due to condensation of moisture.

I think now you might got the complete idea of DEW.

DEW FACTOR

How does the DEW effects the match ?

It effects bowling.

It effects batting.

It effects fielding.

Lets say dew is falling in late evening in a day and night match. Now when a dew falls everything on the ground becomes wet. The Outfield, Infield, pitch, ball and even sometimes the batting gloves becomes wet.

The field or ground becomes wet in such a way that, the moment the ball fells on the ground it becomes completely wet and you are forced every time to clean or rub a ball with a piece of cloth. The shoe becomes wet and fields man will not be able to field well, always skidding on a grass.

It seems like you are playing on a water logged surface and it displays every where on the field. It kills the ball, fielding, bowling entirely the romance of the game, but favors the batsman thanks to DEW FACTOR.

DEW AFFECTS BOWLING

As it is said earlier the dew is every where and ball becomes wet every time the bowlers feel difficult in holding the ball and especially gripping the ball. It skids always from your hand due to bad wet conditions.

This is not the only worrying factor for bowlers, even the pitch makes bowlers frustrated thanks to DEW FACTOR once again.

The pitch becomes so wet in such a way, you can say, even if you bowl with a nice seam position, the ball will not be able to grip or contact with the pitch, it skids, there by killing the swing and spin of the ball. And goes straighter always to the batsman, even if you spin or swing the ball.

You know, Dew affected pitches can be easily compared with a 22 yard smooth plane glass which has no juice in it and always skids.

If you spin a ball it doesn't turn much, it reaches nicely to the batsman by skidding. It kills the rotation of the ball and there by killing the turn. Even genuine wrist spinners feel difficult in spinning the ball.

If you swing a ball it doesn't swing much, it also reaches nicely to the batsman by skidding, just like a straight ball.

DEW AFFECTS BATTING

It effects batsman but in good way. It becomes easy for the batsman to play any shot, as the ball reaches the bat very nicely by skidding with out turn and swing.

The only worrying factor for the batsman is, some times he changes his wet gloves (Due to Dew factor), by wet gloves you cannot grip the bat properly. I think this is not the big problem for the batsman.

DEW AFFECTS FIELDING

When a Dew comes in to the party it will be little difficult for fielders to field.

The hands of fields men becomes always wet, the ball skids always from your hand, the ball wont reach you in time, as the pace of the ball slows down little bit on the field due to Dew Factor, the timing misses, even your shoe might frustrate you.

The shoe wouldn't be able to grip the field or ground well and you might skid while you chase a ball in a outfield.

Therefore the Dew Factor effects you in different departments of the game. But the batsman feels very much easy in these conditions.

Example

In 2007 in November Pakistan has chased 321 against India in a day and night match in Mohali.


(http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/297802.html )


Simply the Pakistan has kept wickets in hands and used Dew Factor conditions very well and chased the big total very easily.

Foot marks is one of the most common word used in Cricket especially in Test matches. The word Foot marks is used rarely in one day format. The complete package of concept of Foot Marks can be understood in Test Matches exclusively.




SO WHAT ACTUALLY IS THE FOOT MARK ?

The marks which are created by the Foot of a Bowler or Batsman on the pitch is called as FOOT MARK. How the Foot Marks are created by a Bowler or a Batsman ?

FOOT MARKS BY A BOWLER

Generally in any Kind of Bowling we have three categories. They are.

Run up

Bowling Action and

Follow Through.

A bowler runs and runs and gets in to the bowling action and then bowls a ball. After this scenario what ever the drama comes from the bowler is called as Follow Through. Follow Through is the last part of your bowling.

Follow Through after the bowling action plays a major role in creating these Foot Marks.

The bowler after his action at bowling crease, comes or runs little bit in front of the bowling crease by making Foot Marks at that place, there by completing the Follow Through. This scenario happens for every ball. Due to this continuous process by a bowlers, the Foot Marks are created for every ball in front of the bowling crease.

The Foot Marks which are created by every ball by bowlers gets denser or concentrated or close after continuous number of overs, then these concentrated Foot Marks will result you in the formation of Great Rough areas or spots.

I think now you might got the complete idea of Foot Marks and Rough areas. These Rough areas or concentrated Foot Marks are mostly created by Fast bowlers.

The reason is simple, these fast bowlers are more aggressive in their action compared to spin bowlers, as they bowl or Run from a long distance, their Run up will be strong, their bowling action will be strong and hence their Follow Through will be strong.

As long as the Follow Through after the bowling action is strong the more the Foot Marks are formed.

The spin bowlers also play a role in creating these Foot Marks but always fast bowlers play a major role. The complete package of concept of Foot Marks can be seen in Test Matches.

In Test Matches generally we have 90 overs on a day and in a complete match we get 450 overs. On each day fast bowlers or medium pace bowlers bowl minimum 40 overs and this happens on each day of the match.

At the end of day one you can see some Foot Marks in front of bowling crease.

Now on second day of the match the same scenario happens and happens on the same pitch which already had some Foot Marks. At the end of day two you can see more concentrated or denser Foot Marks in front of bowling crease.

Similarly at the end of day three you can see the complete package of Rough areas or densely concentrated Foot Marks in front of bowling crease.

So due to continuous bowling from day one to day three on the same pitch with fast or medium pace bowlers bowling minimum 120 overs will result you in formation of Rough areas or concentrated Foot Marks.

On day four and day five of the match you can see more real denser Rough areas in front of bowling crease.

This process or scenario cannot be found in limited over matches like one days and 20-20 matches. So there is less scope of Rough areas concept in limited over matches.

BENEFITS OF ROUGH AREAS

In cricket there is a thought that the Rough areas always support spin bowlers and helps them in bounce and turn.

The spinning seam of the ball will nicely grips or contacts with this Rough areas, then the rotation of seam of the ball will take place so nicely, there by resulting in more turn and bounce, thanks to the Rough areas once again.

As we know the genuine Rough areas are formed on third, fourth and fifth day of a Test match, thats why the spin bowlers always comes in to the party on these last three days of a Test match.

We have to know that these Rough areas are formed in front of the bowling crease on either left side or right side of bowling end wickets.

If a right arm bowler bowls, the Rough areas will form in front of the crease but on left side of the bowling end wickets.

If a left arm bowler bowls, the Rough areas will form in front of the crease but on right side of the bowling end wickets.

If there are Rough areas in front of the bowling crease on left side of the bowling end wickets, the leg spinners will be benefited mostly.

Because if you look at from the other end or opposite end the Rough areas will be on out side the leg stump or leg stump line, therefore as we know, the leg spin bowlers always pitch their ball out side the leg stump line or only leg stump line, loves to bowl on those Rough areas which are out side the leg stump line.

Similarly off spinners will be benefited if there are Rough areas on right side of the bowling end wickets.

Similarly if you look at from the other end or opposite end the Rough areas will be on out side the off stump line, therefore as we know the off spin bowlers always pitch their ball out side the off stump line, loves to bowl on those Rough areas which are out side the off stump line.

FOOT MARKS BY A BATSMAN

The formation of Foot Marks by a batsman will not be in a great extent when compared with bowlers.

The Foot Marks which are created by a batsman on the pitch will be in this way :

They often run between the wickets for runs, there is a chance for the formation of Foot Marks on the pitch, but they might form far from the middle of the pitch as the batsman always run far from the middle of the pitch between the wickets. 

Hence these Foot Marks may not be get used by spin bowlers. But the Foot Marks which are near to middle of the pitch will be used by bowlers.

The batsman always moves from left to right in the crease after facing every ball. There is a chance for the formation of Foot Marks on those places where he walks, but these Foot Marks might not be denser or concentrated. Hence these Foot Marks may also not be get used by spin bowlers.

The batsman often comes down the track on middle of the pitch, they often do walk on middle of the pitch, if most batsman does this drama there is a chance for the formation of Foot Marks on middle of the pitch. Hence these Foot Marks will be used by spin bowlers.

What ever the concept of Foot Marks is discussed, can be seen genuinely in Test Matches.

 Bowlers sometimes get warnings for straying onto the "protected area" during Test matches.

But where exactly is this protected area? And what happens if you keep running on it? We reveal all...

What is the protected area?

It's the area of the pitch where bowlers have to keep off - otherwise they may find themselves being taken out of attack by the umpires.

Unlike the crease, the protected area is not marked out on a pitch. It's an imaginary rectangle that runs right through the middle of the wicket.

Why is it protected?

Because it would be unfair for one team to purposely damage the pitch making it more difficult for the other.

A bowler's follow through creates rough patches around the crease which can cause unpredictable bounce and turn.

These areas are often exploited by other bowlers, especially the spinners.

So if a bowler follows through onto the protected area, they will create rough patches on the stumps which would give the batsmen plenty of problems.

How do the players and umpires know where it is?

It's usually marked by two little horizontal lines five feet from the popping crease on either side of the pitch by the groundsman.

This gives the umpire an indication of the area the bowler must avoid when following through.

What happens when a bowler runs onto the protected area?

They are given a warning by the umpire, who will then inform the other umpire standing at square leg, the captain of the fielding side and the two batsmen that the bowler has been cautioned.

What happens if the same bowler keeps running on the protected area in the same innings?

The umpire will issue a second - and last - warning in exactly the same way as the first.

But if the bowler runs onto the protected area for a third time, the umpire will instruct the captain of the fielding side to take the bowler off immediately.

That bowler will then not be allowed to bowl for the rest of that particular innings.

Fielders can also incur the wrath of the umpires too, as Pakistan's Shahid Afridi found out to his cost in 2005.

The all-rounder was banned for a Test and two one-day internationals after scraping his boots on the protected area during the second Test against England in Faisalabad.