What is a Drop-in Pitch in Cricket? – Explained

The recently concluded T20 World Cup in the United States of America (USA) witnessed drop-in pitches, as the USA doesn’t have a rich cricketing culture.

Due to the lesser number of cricket stadiums in the USA, the use of drop-in pitches existed whenever the match was held in the USA.

Our readers might be confused about what drop-in pitches are. We get into the details about the drop-in pitches:

What exactly is a drop-in pitch?

The drop-in pitch method is an old system in sports where a pitch is prepared for a match that is away from the original venue, so there is a ‘dropping in’ in between a match.

A drop-in pitch can take years to get prepared and it’s the responsibility of the ground staff to take care of it so that it can sustain for a few seasons before its condition gets worse and it needs to be discarded.

When did the system of drop-in pitch come into existence?

Drop-in pitches came into existence during the 1970s when Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) curator John Maley started preparing such pitches during the World Series Cricket matches that were organised by Australian businessman Kerry Packer.

What is the process behind the preparation of drop-in pitches?

The curators can prepare drop-in pitches as per usage and need, as they are prepared in steel frames. One needs to have in-depth knowledge about the combination that is required for clay, soil, and grass.

Its disadvantage is that these pitches are flat in nature, as they aren’t like natural traditional pitches, thus making the format dull at times.

Also Read | Different Types of Cricket Pitches – Explained

Why are drop-in pitches used and how?

Stadiums that are prepared for multiple sporting events have drop-in pitches. There are stadiums in Australia and New Zealand that host sporting events like rugby, football, and hockey alongside cricket.

In stadiums like these, drop-in pitches are utilised during the cricket season. After the game is over, the pitches are taken to another site, where they are worked on for their next use.

When it comes to switching from cricket to football, the cricket pitch is replaced with a tray that is used to hold a football growing turf. The pitch can be used after the tray is replaced with another.

Unused trays are prepared in a greenhouse or a nursery. Machines are used to move the wickets, due to which there is no damage to the outfield.

Grounds that use drop-in pitches

In Australia, stadiums like the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Adelaide Oval, and the Optus Stadium in Perth use drop-in pitches. Stadiums like Eden Park in Auckland and Westpac Stadium in Wellington are used for cricket as well as for other sports like football and rugby matches. 

The stadiums in Pakistan, namely in Lahore and Karachi, will have drop-in pitches in the future. During the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the USA, drop-in pitches were prepared in Florida and later on, transported to New York by road through 20 trailer trucks.

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