Warwickshire lead the new innovation, set to test hybrid pitches

Over the years, one of the most talked about aspects of a cricket game is the pitch. The pitches have often come under the scanner when the Test matches have ended in quick time. The wear and tear of the pitch is often a debatable topic for many. Now, the administrators at Warwickshire are keen on leading a change in the same department.

As per the recent reports in ESPNcricinfo, Warwickshire is keen on testing hybrid pitches in the upcoming season. Reportedly, a hybrid pitch has already been laid. The pitch contains strands of plastic on the edge of the square at their venue. They are hoping to conduct some age group or second XI matches on the surface to understand how the pitch fares up.

As per the plans, if the pitches behave well enough, they will go ahead will more similar pitches in place. Talking about the benefits, the hybrid pitches show very little signs of wear and tear. It has often been seen that the pitches end up dying out as the season comes to an end.

Hybrid pitches will have a longer life. Also, these hybrid pitches can offer more bounce and pace, as noted by the critics. Some of the England bowlers like Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes have already tried bowling on such surfaces and admitted that there was greater bounce and carry on it.

“Building on the excellent work of Tim Packwood, the Worcestershire groundsman, it looks as if the surfaces last longer and come back quicker. We need to progress in a methodical way and, in an ideal world, you might to like to test the pitches over two or three years,” Warwickshire groundsman, Gary Barwell quoted.

The downsides

While the pros are many, the cons come as well. With the wear and tear being very unlikely, the very essence of a track getting deteriorated as the match progresses comes to an end. With no such deterioration, the matches could end up being batting beauty on all five days of the Test match.

While Warwickshire are currently the only first-class county to have laid such a pitch, Worcestershire used one in the net area last year with excellent results and there are also trials on-going at the England and Wales Cricket Board performance center in Loughborough.

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