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