Abstract
Traditional cricket pitch preparation in the West Indies has failed to provide the desired calibre of pitches expected from the heavy clay soils used. A novel investigation into the effects of one-day limited overs pitch preparation on performance indices was conducted to investigate the unrealized potential of heavy clay pitches. Surface hardness was measured across two pitches of different soil properties, in a systematic pattern allowing differentiation of ball delivery line and length. Clegg impact values (CIVs) were significantly lower for both soils after pitch preparation, with average readings being greater for Talparo (278.8 g) than Sevilla (253.6 g). Coefficients of variation for CIVs decreased after pitch preparation, but the absolute CIV remained in the slow to medium pitch range for pace and bounce. Pitch moisture monitoring during preparation is critical to achieving the desired pitch performance characteristics.
