#NewsBytesExplainer: Why is a green-top termed bowlers' paradise?
Virat Kohli and his troops were yet again perturbed by swing and seam, this time in the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. The first Test also saw the Kiwi bowlers denting India's plight on a lively Wellington deck. Indian batsmen have time and again been exposed on the grass-clad tracks. In this light, let us decode the science behind green-tops.
The bowlers get extra zip on a green track
A green-top wicket is usually regarded as a 'graveyard' for batsmen. The extra cover of grass on the pitch gives the bowlers an upper hand as they extract more movement and bounce. This also induces an uneven bounce with the ball getting the required zip off the surface. The ball skids more on a green top as compared to a flat wicket.
Grass creates moisture on the surface
The extra grass on such wickets gives rise to moisture that is constituted in the air slightly above the surface. This is where swing comes into play. It is usually believed that more the moisture, more will be the movement across the pitch. The batsman gets deceived more on such wickets as the ball also changes its trajectory after swinging.
Overcast conditions make green-tops dangerous
Although the conditions are pivotal for any sort of wicket, green-tops get impacted more. Overcast conditions usually produce more movement for the fast bowlers if coupled with strong winds. Paradoxically, a sunny weather makes the moisture redundant and reduces the movement. A classic example of this fact is the iconic Lord's wicket. There is plenty for the spinners here as the Test match progresses.
The ball remains shiny on such wickets
On green tracks, the ball doesn't roughen up much due to the extra moisture, especially the red ball. This usually keeps the reverse swing out of play in Test matches. However, if the sun is out, the wicket dries up to an extent helping the batsmen play their shots later on. Eventually, the spinners also garner some turn after the second or third day.
When Lord's track made England grovel
The batsmen are usually on the receiving end on such wickets. Ten days after England's historic World Cup victory in 2019, Ireland stunned them with a brutal assault at Lord's. The visitors bundled them out on 85 in the first innings of the four-day Test. Even though England later won the match, but green-tops left no margin for error even for the hosts.
The wickets should be more lively to set the balance
Cricket has been a game of beautiful uncertainties, but the results these days are getting more certain with batsmen dominating the game. Moreover, the rules inflicted on bowlers have further brought down their legacy. The dead tracks in World Cup 2019 speak volumes about the bowlers' plight in modern-day cricket. In my humble opinion, the wickets should assist for both batsmen and bowlers.
