19. ENVIROMENTAL CONDITIONS Unlike other sports, in cricket, weather conditions play a central role in determining the outcome of the game and also in player selection. The pitch surface too, varies from place to place, resulting in different match conditions even for the same venue! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEATHER CONDITIONS: Hot: Ball is softer, more spin. Cold: Harder ball, bounces more, harder to field. Windy: Ball swings more. Dew: Bowling is difficult, as there is no grip. Humid: Softer ball, more swing. Cloudy: Ball swings more. Elevation: (above mean sea level ): Ball zips faster through the air. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PITCH CONDITIONS: Just before the match starts, the pitch is inspected and depending on its nature, the amount of runs in the first innings scored can be estimated, and whether the winning captain would prefer to bat, or bowl first. HARD: Bouncy and fast aides fast bowlers, good to bat. SOFT: Slow, helps spinners and medium pacers. DUSTY: Spinners delight . FLAT and SMOOTH: Batsman's paradise, lots of runs scored. LITTLE GRASS: Ball bounces more, ideal for the fast bowlers. UNEVEN: Low scoring match, hard to score runs. CRACKS: Aids spinners. INCLINATION: Ball breaks (angle changes) after pitching. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FIELD CONDITIONS MORE GRASS: Easier to field, ball travels slower and less 4's scored. LESS GRASS: Ball zips away to the boundary for 4. LARGE OUTFIELD: Less 6's & 4's, but more chances of the batsmen getting 2,3 & 4 runs by running between wickets. SMALL OUTFIELD: More 4's & 6's, High scoring game. SOFT GROUND: Less 4's, easier for fielders to dive around. DEW: Less 4's SLIGHT GRADIENT:, with the pitch slightly elevated as compared to the boundary:: Ball races to the boundary. _____________________________ NEXT: More terms.