Preparation of CRICKET pitch

1. TOPIC - PREPARATION OF
CRICKET PITCH

2. What is cricket?
• Cricket is a team game consisting of 11
players on either side, each team has a
captain.

3. What is a good pitch?
• A good pitch is dry, firm, well rolled and
watered and which provide even bounce
throughout the match.
• It has even growth of grass on the pitch to
provide sufficient bounce from the pitch.

4. How to prepare a cricket
pitch?
• A cricket pitch is prepared on;
• Turf/natural wicket
• Cemented/concrete wicket

5. Type of soil
• The use of right soil is most important for
the production of the first pitch.

6. 1.Black soil/ Clay soil
• This soil to some extend has binding
qualities. However, access water on the
top will not dry easily.

7. 2. Red soil:
• This soil do not have much binding
qualities but is better than clay soil and
drying the pitch quickly

8. 3. Some other soil:
• a)Morrum soil - This is slightly yellowish
in colour and has a good binding qualities.

9. • b)Manure soil - This are fertilized and
helps the grass to grow on the pitch

10. Number of pitches to
be prepared
• The pitch should be prepared in odd
numbers, say 3, 5, 7, 11, etc.

11. Preparation of new
pitch:
• Length=100 ft.
• Width= 10 ft.

12. PROCESS
Description of the pitch:
• Length =100 ft; Width =10 ft.
• No. of pitches in odd number = 3, 5, 7, 11,
etc.
• The measuring areas should be dug out
up to 3 ft.
• After the earth is taken out, put water and
roll it with a heavy roller.

13. First layer
• Use ballast stone over about 9 inches in
alternate direction and then the dugout
earth is spread over the surface and roll it
heavily for hard, firm levelling.

14. Second layer
• Put 2 layers of bricks in alternate direction
and roll heavily.
• Over the brick put a thin layer of charcoal
and fine sand which not only help to fulfill
the gaps but also helps in quickly drying
the pitch during rainy season.

15. Third layer
• Make soil mixture 9 inch layer{black
soil/clay soil one part, red soil 1 part,
morrum 1 part} spread it over the brick
layer and sprinkle water.

16. fourth layer
• Last two layer of the soil mixture is very
important and the behaviour of the pitch
will entirely depend on the same
• Make a soil mixture 3 inches layer
(black/clay 1 part, red ½ part, morrum 2
part, manure 2 part) and spread the same,
this will give a good foundation when
water is sprinkled on the pitch.

17. Fifth layer
• Black soil 1 part, red soil ½ part, morrum
soil 2 part, manure 2 part upto 6 inches,
spread the wet grass on the pitch above
the layer.

18. DISCUSSION AFTER THE
FIFTH LAYER
• After a day or two of sun, sprinkle water
by sprincared or water through the hose
pipe. If required the pitch should be
adjusted with the mixture of soil.

19. • Watering of the pitch should be done twice a
day but avoid hot sun. To see the level of the
pitch, strings can be fixed 10 ft. apart both
length and width wise. This will help the
curator to see whether the pitch is levelled or
not.
• When the grass starts growing up to 4-6
inches high, a very light roller is to be used.
• Daily watering of the pitch and rolling will then
give a firm pitch(for 6 weeks).During pre-
session rolling is important to prepare fast
and firm wicket. That time 2-21 tons tendon-
type roller is used.

20. • Cutting of grass is essential before the
match.

21. LAYOUT OF THE CRICKET
GROUND