Spinners are specialist bowlers in cricket. They can make the ball turn either away or towards the batter once the ball pitches. Spinners heavily rely on the manner in which they use their fingers and wrist to turn the ball. Additionally, spinners will also hope to have a pitch that favours them and adds to the extent of their spin.
An amalgamation of grass, soil, and dust in appropriate amounts as deemed fit by the curator makes a pitch suitable for play. A curator ensures that the pitch is rolled evenly and the bounce of the ball remains consistent in the entirety of the match. Since the pitch’s curation relies on external conditions, one such surface is also made to help the spinners.
A dusty pitch favours both the spinners and the batters. The dust on the pitch slows down the ball and thus increases the angle of spin. However, the reduced pace also helps the batter to have some time for a proper shot selection. A dusty pitch also keeps the ball low, making it a challenge for batters to avoid getting dismissed leg before wicket and score by running between the wickets.
A dusty pitch is never rolled unlike other surfaces. The groundsmen get 7 minutes to roll or even out a pitch between two innings as per the law. However, since dusty pitches are at a threat of cracking under rollers, they are not rolled. Such pitches are most often found in the subcontinent. This is one of the major reasons why the leading spinners in world cricket hail from the Asia.
Spinners also tend to benefit in pitches that develop natural crack due to arid conditions. This is commonly seen in test cricket matches when the pitch on the fourth or fifth day is rid of grass due to constant wear. Spinners can utilise these cracks, where the ball upon pitching can turn in a direction that the batter least expects.
While a dusty pitch promises a good contest between the bat and ball, a cracked pitch is entirely favorable for the spinners. In either case, it is the batter who needs to stay alert of the incoming ripper.
