What is the traditionalist’s view of what makes an ideal cricket pitch?
As I grew up watching cricket I came to understand what makes a surface that allows everybody in the team to fully participate. It seems to me that the ideal cricket pitch has an even cover of grass initially and on the first day has some moisture just under the surface. There is enough there to make the captain winning the toss briefly contemplate sending the opposition in to bat. After this brief contemplation he will decide to bat anyway.
In these conditions the first session is enthralling. The bowlers know that there will be something there to assist them, while the batsmen are aware that a torrid first session awaits them.
(Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
If the batting…
