All outdoor sports are susceptible to weather conditions. Football games will be called off if there is too much rain, resulting in waterlogged pitches. American football games are routinely held in almost blizzard conditions in places like Buffalo and Green Bay but even they might get called off if the weather gets too bad.
But the sport that is probably affected more than any other by the weather is cricket. Nominally a summer sport, it is not just unseasonal weather that can affect games – and the conditions don’t just have a say in whether a game is postponed or not. Different weather conditions can change the whole outlook of a cricket game and players will alter their preparations depending on the forecasts.
So, if you are trying to use your betting bonuses to predict the outcome of the Ashes or the ICC World Cup, it is not just the recent form of the players that you need to take into consideration. After taking a look at the opposing teams you should also make a note of whether it is going to be hot or wet, sunny or overcast. Because the result of the game could hinge on what kind of day is to be expected.
Rain
Cricket has not followed some other sports and introduced indoor arenas yet, so a deluge of rain will result in the cancellation or postponement of a game. But a little light rain – or overcast conditions – will actually be welcomed by some of the players in a cricket team.
Bowlers love to see cloud cover when they get up in the morning of a game. That’s because they are more likely to get the ball to swing and move in the air. This obviously makes things more difficult for the batters. The moisture in the air is a help but too much can also make the ball more slippery and harder to grip.
Heat and Humidity
Humidity in the air raises the moisture levels, so it could be that there is not much chance of rain but the conditions will still suit the bowler. But if the heat and sunshine take over it is generally more beneficial for batters. There is less likelihood of swing and the pitch will dry out quicker, making deliveries and bounce more predictable.
Cricket is more often played in these favorable conditions, of course, as it is a summer sport. But too much heat can also cause players in all positions some problems. Drinks breaks are a regular sight, to allow players to rehydrate after standing in the sun for hours on end. Being exposed to harsh conditions can cause heat stress and other illnesses, so precautions should always be taken.
Wind
This is one weather condition that doesn’t really favor batters or bowlers but can still affect the outcome of a cricket game. Strong winds can result in some swinging of the ball but it is even more predictable for the batters – and may not always benefit the bowler either.
Pace bowlers like to use the wind to propel them into the wicket and increase the speed of their deliveries, with spin bowlers quite happy to be up the other end. The other benefit for the players of a windy day is that it helps with sweat evaporation and reduces the players’ body temperatures.
The Science of Swing
If you watch any cricket at all you will see pundits, players and fans pontificating on the science of swing bowling. The belief is that humidity or overcast skies produce the right conditions for swing bowling and the potential to alter the delivery of a ball as it travels down the pitch.
But there is some disagreement whether it is the weather that really plays a part in the swing of a ball. Different airflow on either side of the ball is what makes the ball change direction (this is why cricketers like to polish one side over the other) but research has failed to show conclusively whether humid conditions also affect the density of the air enough to cause the swing.
Different Country, Different Conditions
The fact that weather conditions can have such an effect on the outcome of cricket matches is shown when you look at games played around the world. Even though cricket is a summer sport and can be played year-round somewhere, summer weather can be very different from country to country.
Very dry pitches in India and Australia have produced some of the finest spin bowlers ever to grace the game, while the more changeable summer weather of England has undoubtedly helped it produce some of the best swing bowlers in the world.
Wellington in New Zealand is known to be the windiest city on the planet and can therefore test visiting players, even though the local stadium, the Basin Reserve, does use its design and location to provide some shelter. In fact, visiting players regularly have to acclimatize to the weather conditions wherever they are touring, leaving the home side at a distinct advantage.
Figure 2 This kind of weather would suit bowlers
Cricket – A Game for All Seasons
Although we know that weather can seriously affect the way a cricket game plays out – and make favorites out of underdogs – it is seen as part of the beauty of the sport. The weather is a factor in cricket, unlike with any other sport and it is regarded as something that boosts the game for the fans.
Cricket fans are able to watch games across the world at any time of the year. But a sudden change in the weather can turn a game in a split second. It is one of the things that make cricket so fascinating – and something that other sports will never have.