Here at Cricket Ground Guide, we aim to provide you with the ultimate resource on all of the cricket grounds around the world. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the history of cricket or find out where some of the best grounds in Australia are, we can help! We’ll walk you through how cricket is played and give you some pointers on how to get started playing yourself. We’ll also tell you everything you need to know about cricket grounds – from where they are and what they look like, to who built them and why they were created.
The pitch
A cricket pitch, also known as a wicket, is a strip of land used for playing cricket. The strip is central to both batting and bowling (or fielding) in the game. While similar, each strip has subtle differences, depending on whether it’s used for Test matches or one-day games. A cricket pitch is also used in baseball as well. The length WPC2029 of a pitch can vary from 27–30 yards for first-class matches played on grounds with minor grounds having shorter pitches so bowlers can get more swing and make it harder for batsmen to score runs quickly by hitting through off side or leg side on their shots. Each field will have one or two sets of three stumps that form the wickets where a bowler bowls at, and where batter defends.
Each set consists of three upright sticks, called stumps, which are placed vertically in the ground forming two bails which cross each other at about waist height when viewed from behind. The area between the two bails is known as the crease. Batsman may be dismissed if he gets out of his crease before being warned by umpire; this means that he cannot defend his team’s total anymore.
The outfield
The playing surface of a cricket field is called an outfield. At professional grounds, like those used in Test matches, it usually consists of flat grass and may be as long as 360 yards (330 m) between fence-like boundaries placed 80 yards (73 m) apart. The surface is generally rolled and watered until it becomes firm and very smooth, with no depressions or irregularities. It takes three days to prepare a test pitch for play by covering it with tarpaulins weighted down with up to 500 tons of sand. All surfaces are kept soft through careful watering and infrequent rolling, which prevents cracks from forming in the turf and causing injury to players running across it.
The pitch dimensions
The cricket pitch is a 22-yard strip of closely mown grass on which play takes place. The cricket pitch should always be rectangular, but due to variations in outfields and bowlers’ run ups, pitches often end up being square. Wickets are placed in a straight line at each end of the pitch and consist of three wooden stumps (poles) bound together by two wooden crosspieces called bails. The whole assembly is known as a wicket (as in taking a wicket). If you’re lucky enough to see an Ashes Test being played, you might notice that over time – depending on wear and tear – more than one type of grass is used during matches. Outfield grass tends to be shorter and whiter than the red stuff closer to the boundary edge. Grass will usually only last for two days before it needs replacing so groundsmen can get creative with their surface maintenance.
Media facilities
The most important thing is that you make sure you have a way of getting from your house or hotel to a cricket ground. Whether it’s public transport, having your own vehicle, arranging for a friend with a car or having someone drop you off and pick you up later. Making sure that your travel plans are settled will save any anxiety and allow you to relax before heading in. For example, if possible arrive an hour early to get over any initial nerves and set yourself up in one of the bars nearby (you could even pre-order drinks with service) as well as allowing plenty of time afterwards if you want to catch some extra matches too.
Parking and transport links
Once you’ve arrived at a cricket ground, there are still a few things you should be aware of. For example, some grounds don’t have parking facilities and if you live in a rural area, it might take you a while to get back home after your match. One way of getting around is by carpooling with other players and sharing petrol expenses, or taking public transport—make sure that your team knows how long it takes for you to get home so they can plan accordingly. Finally, make sure you know what time matches start and finish on game day; remember that not all grounds close at 5pm on weekends! Some stay open until 8pm, which means you will need to factor this into travel arrangements if you want to catch the last train home.
