Sports Turf

Chapter twelve

Cricket

12.1 Introduction

In cricket, even more than in golf, the reactions of the ball off the surface form an integral part of the game. If predictable, its qualities can be exploited by those with the necessary skills but, if unpredictable, it can thwart the intentions of the skilled and unskilled alike. Thus the character of the game can be determined by factors that affect the reactions of the playing surface: the weather, the soil and the skill of the groundsman.

The grass is scarcely visible above ground on a Test pitch prepared for play. It has to struggle to survive because most of what the groundsman has to do when ...