Playing Conditions

Cricket is one of the very few sports which depend heavily on the weather, and the pitch conditions to determine how a match is played.

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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 msl) 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 & smooth Batsman's paradise, lots of runs scored.
Sprinkle of grass Ball bounces more, ideal for the fast bowlers.
Uneven Low scoring match, hard to score runs.
Cracks on surface Aids spinners
Inclination Ball breaks (angle changes) after pitching
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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.
Moisture on ground Less 4's
Small gradient, with the pitch slightly elevated as compared to the boundary Ball races to the boundary.
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