Pitch Maps and Bowling Length Analysis

In this lesson you will learn what a pitch map is. A pitch map is a diagram of the pitch, usually viewed from behind the bowler or from above, with a mark showing where each delivery landed. Marks are often coloured by outcome, such as dot ball, single, boundary or wicket. A pitch map answers questions a scorecard cannot, such as whether a bowler is consistent, which lengths a batter scores from, and where wickets tend to come from. It shows where the ball bounced but not where it went afterwards, so analysts often pair it with a wagon wheel to see the whole contest between bowler and batter.

• Marks show where each ball landed
• Colour marks by outcome
• Reveals consistency and dangerous lengths
• Pair with a wagon wheel for the full picture

In this lesson you will learn the common length bands used in analysis. A full toss does not bounce before reaching the batter. A yorker lands at or very near the batter's feet. A full length lands a little further up and invites the drive. A good length makes the batter unsure whether to come forward or go back. A short ball, or bouncer when it rises around head height, lands well short of a length. Exact distances depend on the bowler's pace and the pitch, so analysts usually mark bands relative to the stumps rather than fixed measurements. Agree the bands with your coach so everyone reads the map the same way.

• Full toss, yorker, full, good length, short
• Bands depend on pace and pitch
• Mark bands relative to the stumps
• Agree definitions with your coach

In this lesson you will learn how line is recorded. Line describes where the ball is relative to the stumps from side to side, such as wide outside off stump, the corridor of uncertainty just outside off, on the stumps, or down the leg side. For left-handed batters the off and leg sides swap, so label each map with the batter's hand. Line matters as much as length. A good-length ball drifting onto the pads can be easy to score from, while a full ball wide outside off stump in the death overs can be hard to hit for six. Remember that a ball passing outside the guideline can be called wide under the playing conditions.

• Line: outside off, corridor, stumps, leg side
• Label each map with the batter's hand
• Line matters as much as length
• Wide-line plans must respect wide guidelines

In this lesson you will learn practical ways to build pitch maps without broadcast technology. Professional cricket uses multi-camera ball-tracking systems. At club level you can estimate landing spots from behind the bowler's arm, using a printed pitch grid and a pencil, or a scoring app that lets you tap the landing point. WinnTV replays, where available, let you check deliveries after the match, though camera angle affects accuracy. Focus on consistency rather than precision and record the outcome of each ball at the same time. Never stand anywhere unsafe to get a better view, and do not distract the umpires, scorers or players.

• Pros use multi-camera ball tracking
• Club level: estimate on a printed grid or app
• Check with WinnTV replays where available
• Stay in a safe, non-distracting position

In this lesson you will connect where the ball lands with what happened next. Group deliveries by length band and calculate runs per ball, dot-ball percentage and wickets for each band. You may find that a bowler's good-length balls are very hard to score from, but their full balls go for boundaries, which suggests they should practise hitting a consistent length or a reliable yorker. Look at the same split for a batter to find the lengths they struggle against. Remember to allow for conditions, because a length that works on a slow, low pitch may be dangerous to bowl on a true, quick one.

• Group deliveries by length band
• Calculate runs per ball, dots and wickets per band
• Find a bowler's best and worst lengths
• Allow for the pitch and conditions

In this lesson you will use pitch maps to plan bowling. In T20 cricket, variation matters, but it works best when built on a reliable stock ball. Pitch maps show whether a bowler can repeat a length, which makes variations such as slower balls, bouncers and wide yorkers more effective. Plan length by phase, for example fuller and straighter in the powerplay when attacking, and wide yorkers or slower balls at the death. Short-pitched bowling must stay within the Laws and playing conditions, and coaches should follow ECB guidance on the safe use of short-pitched bowling and helmets, especially with junior players.

• Build variations on a reliable stock ball
• Plan length by phase
• Pitch maps reveal repeatability
• Short-pitched bowling must stay within Laws and safety guidance