Cricket pitch
A cricket pitch is the rectangular central strip of a cricket field between the two wickets, where most of the action takes place. It is long and wide. The surface is flat and is normally covered with extremely short grass, but can be completely dry or dusty soil with barely any grass or, in some circumstances, made from an artificial material. Over the course of a cricket match, the pitch is not repaired or altered other than in special circumstances - meaning that it will change condition. Any grass on the pitch at the start of the game, for example, may disappear due to wear.
As almost all deliveries bowled will bounce off the pitch towards the batter, the state and type of a cricket pitch can significantly affect the outcome of a match. For example, a dusty and very dry pitch often favours spin bowling because the ball grips more on such surfaces, giving the team with stronger spin bowlers a potential advantage. The state of the pitch is so important that home teams can be fined or docked points if it is deemed unfit for normal play or dangerous for batters, with balls behaving unpredictably. Players may also face disciplinary action if found deliberately damaging or altering the pitch in violation of the Laws of Cricket. Because of these factors, coaches, players, and commentators often discuss how the pitch is "behaving" during a match—especially in first-class cricket or Test cricket, where conditions can change over several days. These changes also influence the coin toss decision, as captains weigh whether batting first or bowling first is more advantageous. For example, a captain might choose to bat first on a flat pitch but opt to bowl on a greener, more moist surface that offers early movement and more pace.
In amateur matches in some parts of the world, artificial pitches are sometimes used. These can be a slab of concrete overlaid with a coir mat or artificial turf. Sometimes dirt is put over the coir mat to provide an authentic feeling pitch. Artificial pitches are rare in professional cricket, being used only when exhibition matches are played in regions where cricket is not a common sport.
The pitch has specific markings delineating the creases, as specified by the Laws of Cricket.
The word wicket often occurs in reference to the pitch. Although technically incorrect according to the Laws of Cricket, cricket players, followers, and commentators persist in the usage, with context eliminating any possible ambiguity. Track or deck are other synonyms for pitch.
The rectangular central area of the cricket field – the space used for pitches – is known as the square. Cricket pitches are usually oriented as close to the north–south direction as practical, because the low afternoon sun would be dangerous for a batter facing due west.
Uses of the pitch
The pitch has one popping crease at each end. These creases divide the field into the two batters' grounds, and the area between them is the zone where the ball must be bowled and the batters run.Bowling: Bowlers deliver the ball so that it bounces on the surface of the pitch. The return creases, which extend almost directly from the edges of the pitch down the field, restrict the angle from which the bowler may deliver the ball.
Batting: Batters may move within their crease to make contact with the ball. They sometimes mark the pitch lightly to indicate their stance and, during play, may unintentionally dislodge small amounts of surface material while swinging the bat.
Running: The two batters run along the sides of the pitch, between the batters' grounds, to score runs.
- Fielding: Occasionally fielders may run on the pitch to run out a batter.
- Practice Session: Before a live cricket match, players have practice sessions with their official coach. They cannot use the main pitch, but are allowed to check the surface of the original pitch where the match will be played.
Protected area
The protected area or danger area is the central portion of the pitch – a rectangle running down the middle of the pitch, two feet wide, and beginning five feet from each popping crease. Under the Laws of Cricket, a bowler must avoid running on this area during their follow-through after delivering the ball.The pitch is protected to preserve fairness in the game; the ball normally bounces on the pitch within this region, and if it is scuffed or damaged by the bowler's footmarks it can give an unfair advantage to the bowling side. These areas can be exploited by the bowlers to change the outcome of the match. If a bowler runs on the protected area, an umpire will issue a warning to the bowler and to their team captain. The umpire issues a second and final warning if the bowler transgresses again. On the third offence, the umpire will eject the bowler from the attack and the bowler may not bowl again for the remainder of the innings. The rule does not prevent the bowler or any other fielder from running on the protected area in an effort to field the ball; it applies only to the uninterrupted follow-through.
State of the pitch
A natural pitch with grass longer or more moist than usual is described as a green pitch, green top, or green seamer.Such surfaces favour the bowler because the ball can move unpredictably off the seam and through the air.
A sticky wicket—a pitch that has become wet and is drying rapidly in hot sun—also causes the ball to behave erratically, particularly assisting slower or spin bowlers. Modern first-class pitches are usually protected from rain and dew, so true sticky wickets are now rare.
As a multi-day match progresses, the pitch naturally dries. The Laws of Cricket prohibit watering during play, so cracks and dust often appear. Initially batting becomes easier as early moisture disappears, but later the surface may crumble into a dust bowl or minefield, again favouring spin bowlers who can extract sharp turn.
A surface producing significant turn is called a turner—or, when extreme, a raging turner.
Because these changes alter the relative difficulty of batting and bowling, captains weigh expected pitch behaviour carefully when deciding—after winning the coin toss—whether to bat or bowl first.
Pitch condition
Pitches in different parts of the world have different characteristics. The nature of the pitch plays an important role in the actual game: it may have a significant influence on team selection and other aspects. Pitches in hot and dry climates or seasons tend to have less grass on them, making batting easier. Batters or bowlers can have different levels of success based on the region they are in, and this is partially due to variation in pitches. As the pitch deteriorates throughout a match, this can also have considerable influence on the success or failure of a team's bowling or batting efforts.Pitch safety
Certain conditions, as set out by the ICC, must be met to ensure that a pitch is fit and safe to play on. If the pitch is found to excessively favour one side, or if other conditions cause it to be dangerous, the match may, after agreement between the captains and the umpires, be abandoned and possibly rescheduled.Preparation and maintenance of the playing area
Law 9 of the Laws of Cricket sets out rules covering the preparation and maintenance of the playing area.Uncovered pitches
Cricket was originally played on uncovered pitches, meaning that the playing surface was fully exposed to the weather. Such pitches often produced unpredictable bounce and sharp turn after rain, giving bowlers a considerable advantage.The move towards routinely covering pitches began gradually and was largely completed by the 1960s.
Covering the pitch
A pitch is said to be covered when groundskeepers place protective sheets or covers over it to guard against rain or dew. The use or non-use of covers significantly affects how the ball comes off the surface, which can be contentious because even small changes in moisture alter bounce and pace.Law 11 of the Laws of Cricket states that during a match the pitch shall not be completely covered unless otherwise agreed before the toss. When possible, the bowlers' run-ups are also covered in wet conditions to maintain safety. Covers are removed as early as conditions allow on any day that play is expected. Excess water can be cleared from the pitch or outfield with a machine known as a water hog.
Rolling the pitch
During a match, the captain of the batting side may request that the pitch be rolled for up to seven minutes before the start of each innings and before the beginning of each subsequent day's play. If the start of the first innings is delayed after the toss, the batting captain may also request rolling unless the umpires decide the delay has not altered the surface.If more than one roller is available, the batting captain chooses which to use. Regulations aim to prevent unnecessary delays but guarantee the captain's right to the allotted rolling time. Rolling compresses the soil, reducing moisture and changing pace or bounce, and can therefore favour either batter or bowler depending on conditions.
For the 2010 County Championship season, use of the heavy roller was banned because it was believed to create excessively flat pitches and contribute to drawn matches.