Ball bouncing too low on turf pitches

[sledger]

This reminds me of the retired school teacher who goes around Australia locating and documenting forgotten pitches. Pretty cool though I think driving 14 hours to find a pitch must surely be his front to have some time away from the missus

'They're a bit like Roman ruins': One man's quest to find Australia's 'lost' cricket pitches

Many of the long-forgotten pitches Les Everett finds are overgrown, and it's been decades since they last heard the echo of willow striking leather, but he says they all have a story to tell.

www.abc.net.au

Back in the day I had a lecturer for environmental law who drove about 300 miles to go and visit the site of a power station that was at the centre of an important case (which had happened about twenty years prior).

The power station itself was no longer there. It had long been demolished and converted into a car park. He knew this before setting off on his journey and went anyway.

I assumed it had to be a ruse of some sort.

 

[honestbharani]

Back in the day I had a lecturer for environmental law who drove about 300 miles to go and visit the site of a power station that was at the centre of an important case (which had happened about twenty years prior).

The power station itself was no longer there. It had long been demolished and converted into a car park. He knew this before setting off on his journey and went anyway.

I assumed it had to be a ruse of some sort.

Probably wanted better parking.

 

[Aritro]

Prior to the advent of synthetic turf wickets (and turf wickets becoming wider spread) I remember playing on malthoid pitches. Those of a younger generation may not have heard of malthoid. It is a two-ply felt material impregnated with bitumen that was rolled onto a concrete base. I recall it was extremely helpful to bowlers as there was plenty of nasty bounce and the surface took grip for spinners. I recall on very hot days the bitumen in the surface would become quite tacky and the ball would become quite dark.
Following the demise of malthoid I can remember that pitches for a brief period were coated with Plexipave - a substance which was troweled on and, when dry, had the effect of sandpaper and the ball would be a mess within a few overs. Fortunately, synthetic turf replaced this dire surface.
Returning to malthoid, here is a picture from an excellent article (referenced below)

Memories of malthoid

CRICKET By LIAM DURKIN BEFORE most local cricketers had the luxury of playing on turf, or even astro for that [...]

latrobevalleyexpress.com.au

Never knew this existed. That looks disgusting and probably would do even when dry.

I imagine it would be hard for anyone to look their best when they've been impregnated with bitumen though.