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[toney]

One of the most important factors for a good test match is a good pitch. I am sure we all have picked up some basic stuff such as how extra grass, moisture or too much sun affects a pitch. I would love it if someone, especially with first class cricket experience, can add to it. For eg, I heard once that pitches in Aus have more clay content to retain moisture unlike in India. Does that play a role in getting extra bounce?
Also, why is it that newly laid pitches need to settle? The soil content remains the same, the pitch is rolled out well. Yet, the pitch starts showing its true colours only after a season or two.

I have seen exceptions to the standard subcontinent pitches. The one at Nagpur had pace and bounce throughout the match. The Mohali pitch used to be a beauty. In fact, if someone tod me it was an Australian pitch, I would have had believed him. The recent EGardens pitch wasnt a green top like some said but it had a fair sprinkling of grass. Extra grass doesnt necessarily make a fast or bouncy pitch. There is more movement off the seam, the pitch might hold better.
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[Blwe_torch]

Thats a nice attempt Toney!

[dhruvdeepak]

can someone also comment on the whole scenario with 'Drop-in' pitches? What do they do, or not do?

[Blwe_torch]

Got this link in Cricinfo...http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ABOUT_CRICKET/PITCHES/PREP_OF_PITCHES.html

"Cricket pitches


Principles and practice of pitch preparation

Produced under the auspices of the United Cricket Board of South Africa
Prepared by NM Tainton, JR Klug, D Edmondson & RK Campbell (University of Natal) and P W van Deventer & M J de Beer (Potchefstroom University).

Foreword


It is a fundamental principle that you cannot play good cricket on poor wickets. The United Cricket Board of South Africa has decided that it should play a leading role in upgrading the knowledge available to groundsmen for the preparation of turf wickets throughout South Africa.


To this end it has been most fortunate to secure the services of a team comprising members from the Universities of Natal and Potchefstroom to help it with this substantial and important task.


The publication of this book on the preparation and construction of turf pitches is a very welcome step in the process and the United Cricket Board is most grateful for the high quality work and energy that these universities have put into both the preparation of this book and the assistance that they have given those groundsmen responsible for preparing cricket pitches in South Africa.


We want this book to be regarded as a living document so that future editions will incorporate the increased experience and knowledge currently being generated, as well as the results of the research programme to which the United Cricket Board has committed itself.


We are very grateful to Professor Neil Tainton and his team from Natal University, and Piet van Deventer of Potchefstroom University for their great efforts in making this publication possible.


R C WHITE
Vice President: United Cricket Board of South Africa"

Its a long chapter..just follow the link and see for yourself!

[toney]

Actually, a friend and I once attempted to make a pitch in the backyard. Not having a decent roller was a big issue. But we did have a base of rocks, then filled it up with a mixture of clay and normal soil (dont know its contents). The result was a very playable surface but for some reason, in spite of not watering it, the pitch never cracked. That was a turn off for us since we both were looking forward to practise our leg breaks.
The one thing we were successful in doing was having even bounce. Except for the odd ball which shot off a length and threatened our noses, it was all fine. Obviously, grass doesnt grow naturally in Kerala, so we couldnt experiment in that department.

[toney]

Here's Woolmer's take on pitches, especially the Lahore one. Interesting bit about his favourite pitch at the Gabba
http://indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=86163