What is a good pitch for cricket?

[Simbazz]

In tests,

Day One; Batsmen Paradise (300 in a day sorta stuff)
Day Two; Still that Paradise, but offers a bit of mishap with the ball
Day Three; Spinners in a little bit, still holding up and 250 in a day possible
Day Four; Spinners and Mediums into the attack, good for bowling, still a okish track to bat
Day Five; Spins to win the match for England against Australia!

 

[Almost_Austwick]

In tests,

Day One; Batsmen Paradise (300 in a day sorta stuff)
Day Two; Still that Paradise, but offers a bit of mishap with the ball
Day Three; Spinners in a little bit, still holding up and 250 in a day possible
Day Four; Spinners and Mediums into the attack, good for bowling, still a okish track to bat
Day Five; Spins to win the match for England against Australia!

That (to me) is almost ideal. Just needs a little bit of moisture or movement on the first morning. Need to give the game a chance to go either way regardless of who wins the toss.

 

[evertonfan]

Old Trafford produces the perfect Test match wickets though, How many recent Old Trafford Test matches have bee thrillers. It's because the pitches are near perfect.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

How many days have the games lasted for though? You don't want a pitch which has fallen apart in 3 days leaving both sides bowled out for 120 in their 2nd innings.

 

[sd92]

That (to me) is almost ideal. Just needs a little bit of moisture or movement on the first morning. Need to give the game a chance to go either way regardless of who wins the toss.

Movement in the first morning is vital, makes the opening to a test match thrilling and a real test for the opening batsmen.

 

[evertonfan]

How many days have the games lasted for though? You don't want a pitch which has fallen apart in 3 days leaving both sides bowled out for 120 in their 2nd innings.

All 5. Just look at 2005 for a pitch at it's finest.

 

[Will_NA]

ODIs

For the batsman - Bounce, pace, pretty flat, quick outfield.
For the bowler - Swing, pace, seam first 4 overs.
For the fielder - Lush, green grass. We want to see fielders dive around and not hurt themselves because of a hard, rough outfield.

Tests

Day 1 - Seam with new ball, constant swing. Even bounce and pace. No spin.
Day 2 - Seam with new ball, constant swing. Even bounce and a tad slower. No spin.
Day 3 - Seam with new ball, constant swing. Even bounce and slower. More spin.
Day 4 - No seam or swing. Slightly inconsistent bounce and even slower. A lot of rough and spin.
Day 5 - No seam or swing. Cracks open and even slower. A lot of srough and lots of spin.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

Have to say that I'm a bit ignorant as to the quality (or lack of) of the Old Trafford pitch, although its one of my favourite grounds (saw Corkie's hat trick there back in 95).

Will have a little look into it though.

 

[sd92]

ODIs
Tests
Day 1 - Seam with new ball, constant swing. Even bounce and pace. No spin.
Day 2 - Seam with new ball, constant swing. Even bounce and a tad slower. No spin.
Day 3 - Seam with new ball, constant swing. Even bounce and slower. More spin.
Day 4 - No seam or swing. Slightly inconsistent bounce and even slower. A lot of rough and spin.
Day 5 - No seam or swing. Cracks open and even slower. A lot of srough and lots of spin.

Slightly biased towards the bowlers don't you think?

 

[Will_NA]

Batsmen will have to show how good they really are.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

Slightly biased towards the bowlers don't you think?

The batsmen have had it their way for far too long, lets try to even things up lol.

 

[sd92]

The batsmen have had it their way for far too long, lets try to even things up lol.

I agree totally. The decisions by umpires are harsh. They cant bowl anything down leg, no balls are harsh. And if they bowl short, ooo God forbid.

 

[Almost_Austwick]

What would you like to see in a Twenty/20 pitch sd?

 

[sd92]

Something ideal for batman to score a lot of runs, and give pure entertainment to the crowd, as afterall 2020 is a batsmans game.

 

[Hooper]

I dont want to see 20/20 matches at all.

Ummm....a good Test Pitch is one that is green and gives a bit to the batsman on the first day. But later in the match holds itself together and plays well for batsman and spinners.