One of the factors that affect cricket is the pitch on which matches are played. The cricket ground, weather conditions, and pitch play an important role in making predictions for betting. Experts make these conditions the primary source for predictions because they show how the ball is affected under different circumstances. As a beginner, it might not be easy to understand pitch conditions with just some advice. It is important to understand in depth how pitch conditions affect the match and how you can analyse them.
Understanding pitch requires a little physics and a bit of geography. For example, if you know that the ground is in Gujarat, India, then you may get the idea that it will have a humid atmosphere and the pitch may get dry, due to which the ball will not slip more or it will be difficult for the batsman to hit boundaries often. Likewise, geography and physics together work to enable predictions.
Cricket is an unpredictable game, but if you understand the pitch, you will be able to make better decisions. Even if you are a beginner, you would be able to predict by analysing a pitch. There are several types of pitches and grounds available worldwide, and the cricket authorities choose them according to the atmospheric conditions. Let us see some of the ways for pitch analysis.
- Damp Pitch
Damp pitches are pitches that have moisture in them. Such pitches have pace, and when bowling becomes difficult, batting becomes easier. On such grounds, hitting boundaries becomes easier because the ball slips and goes faster than normal. As per the betting, if the batting of your team is in the second half when the pitch is damp, there are higher chances to win the match.
- Dry and dusty Pitch
Exactly the opposite of damp pitches, dry pitches have great support for fast bowling. The ball can easily bounce, and it is a great opportunity for spinners to take wickets. If the pitch is dry and dusty, then you can expect that the ball will easily bounce off the cracks and foot marks. Dry pitches are in favour of bowlers, and here, batting can become a real struggle. Such pitches are found abroad. To make dry pitch better, sometimes it’s suggested to provide artificial moisture to make it favourable for both teams. For betting, you can predict that scoring high will be tough and must go with the second inning to wager.
- Green Pitch
The ideal choice for test watches is green pitch. A green pitch is lubricated and becomes an opportunity for the teams. Here, the ball does not bounce higher, and spinners find it difficult to spin. These pitches are the best for white-ball matches, which are usually an option in England and New Zealand. Here is a good opportunity for batsmen to score high. If you are a beginner, this would be a good chance to win the bets, especially in player prop betting.
- Dead Pitch
A great choice for ODIs and T20 matches is dead pitch. If you are a bettor, you can predict that there are higher chances that a batsman will score high. So, if you have a wager in favour of some batsman, then it will make you win. Such pitches are extremely painful for bowlers because the ball does not spin. These are batting-friendly pitches that allow batsmen to hit boundaries because the ball moves faster when the bounce occurs and the bowling becomes slow.
A good pitch in a cricket game is one that benefits both the bowler and the batter equally. The wicket will encourage batting and keep the cricket game thrilling. On the other hand, a bowler will find it more challenging to strike a no-grass surface. Additionally, these pitches are level and dry, which is perfect for batsmen. Consequently, they are known as “dead pitches.”
The Bottom Line
Pitch conditions can affect the match drastically, and you can get an idea of when the match is going on. The atmospheric conditions, moisture, etc., are all factors that make matches challenging for teams. The cricket boards choose pitches according to the format of the match; that is what adds more challenges for the teams. From a betting perspective, if you understand the basic pitch conditions, you will be able to predict matches before they are played. Better predictions can lead to profitable betting. So, start comprehending pitch conditions to make your betting better.
