Batting on Different Pitches
Also known as: reading the pitch, batting on a green pitch, batting on a turning pitch, green top pitch, dustbowl pitch, slow low pitch, two-paced pitch
Read the pitch before you bat and change your game to suit it. On a green, grassy pitch, leave more and play late. On a dry, turning pitch, use your feet and the sweep against spin. On a slow, low pitch, play straight and avoid cross-bat shots. On a bouncy pitch, judge length early and leave balls rising over the stumps.
Batters look at grass cover, moisture, cracks and hardness. A green top has live grass and often some moisture. The ball seams and bounces more. Patience matters most. Leave outside off stump, play late and wait for the ball to soften. Hard, dry pitches with even bounce are usually the best for batting. Driving on the up is safer there.
Dry, dusty pitches that break up help spin. These are called turning pitches or dustbowls. Get right forward to smother turn, or right back to play it off the pitch. The sweep and the step down the pitch help disrupt the bowler's length. Expect some balls to turn sharply and others to skid on. Keep the bat in front of the pad.
Slow, low pitches punish cross-bat shots. The ball can stay down and hit the stumps or pads. Play with a straight bat and get forward more. On a two-paced pitch, some balls come on quickly and others stop. Hold the shot back and play later than usual. Bouncy pitches reward back-foot play. Judge length early and leave balls that will pass over the stumps. Conditions change during a match. Watch how the first overs behave and talk to your partner.
Tips by skill level
Before the match, press the pitch with your thumb and look for grass and cracks. Ask a senior player what they expect it to do.
Plan two or three scoring shots that suit the pitch and drop the riskiest ones. Review the plan after the first few overs.
Example
By the third day the pitch is dry and cracked, and the ball is turning. The batter decides to sweep anything on a good length. He drives only when he can reach the pitch of the ball.
Why it matters
The same shot can be safe on one pitch and dangerous on another. Reading the surface helps you choose which shots to play and which to put away.
Common mistakes
- Playing the same way on every pitch
- Playing cross-bat shots on a slow, low surface
- Driving early on a green, seaming pitch
- Not adapting when the pitch changes during a match
Frequently asked questions
How do I bat on a green pitch?
Expect the ball to seam and bounce. Leave more outside off stump, play late with soft hands and wait for loose balls. The pitch often gets easier as the ball softens.
How do I bat on a turning pitch?
Use your feet decisively. Get right forward to smother the spin or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of the pad and use the sweep to change the bowler's length.
How do you read a cricket pitch?
Look at the grass, the moisture, the cracks and how hard it feels. Green and damp suggests seam. Dry and cracked suggests spin later in the game. Hard and even usually suits batting.
Related terms
- Playing Swing and Seam BowlingTo play swing and seam bowling, know where your off stump is and leave balls you do not need to play. Watch the seam and shine in the bowler's hand, then play late under your eyes with a straight bat and soft hands. Let the ball come to you instead of reaching for it.
- Playing Spin BowlingTo play spin bowling, watch the bowler's hand to read which way the ball will turn and pick up the length early. Be decisive with your feet. Go right forward to smother the spin at the pitch, or right back to play it late off the pitch. Keep your bat in front of your pad and score by playing with the turn.
- Seam BowlingSeam bowling is a style of pace bowling where the ball is gripped so the seam is upright and the ball lands on the seam. This causes it to deviate unpredictably off the pitch.
- Sweep ShotThe sweep is a cross-bat shot played on one knee to a good-length ball, usually from a spinner. It sweeps the ball around to the leg side to counter turn and length.
- Back-Foot PlayBack-foot play is batting in which the batter moves the weight back and onto the rear foot to play short-pitched or rising deliveries. This creates time by moving away from the pitch of the ball.
- Test Match Batting (Batting for a Long Time)Batting in a Test or multi-day match is about time at the crease as much as runs. Leave well, defend tightly and score off bad balls. Break the day into sessions and short goals, and be ready to get through hard spells against the new ball.
Cricket analysis is in development
Motion Lab does not analyze this sport yet. Keep exploring the terms in this section.