On a cricket field, in the north-south axis at the center of the field lies the cricket pitch. The pitch is the area where the primary event of the sport takes place. Since a hard cork ball pitches on the surface at high speeds for a prolonged time, the pitch needs to be curated for endurance. Based on the climate, this pitch can be grassy, sticky, dusty, cracked, etc.
A dry cricket pitch shall be the focus of our discussion in this overview. A dry pitch is a result of warm climate. Areas less prone to rainfall cause the pitch to harden and become firm. This is advantageous for the batter as they can predict the length and bounce of the ball easily. Such a pitch may also develop cracks. A dry cracked pitch can favor the spinners as the cracks cause the ball to turn at wider angles then expected.
If a pitch is dry but does not develop cracks, it becomes a flat pitch. Such a pitch is a heaven for the batters. A seamer or a spinner can barely get any assistance from such a pitch. Bowlers thus have to rely on seam movement and pace variations to get wickets.
A first-class match or a test match lasts for four to five days. By the fourth or fifth day of play, cracks on the pitch become more prominent. These cracks can further widen when the curator chooses not to roll the pitch. The lack of rolling also makes the pitch softer, making it advantageous for spinners. Such pitches are commonly encountered in the Indian subcontinent where the weather is most often warm.
A dry pitch is a hub for scoring runs. Batters only need to be vary of spinners who are experts in pitching the ball in the right zone (cracked areas). If a batter is skilled enough to play against spin, they can expect themselves to score a bulk of the team’s total score on a dry pitch.
