As Cricket evolved, it became a batsman-dominated game. However, there are many instances in which bowlers showed their skills and helped their team win. Especially in test cricket, bowlers have significant responsibility, as they have to take all the wickets of the opponent’s team to win the match. There are many green pitches in Cricket, which help fast bowlers. But there are also many legendary spinners this game has given us, like Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, etc. There are many turning and dry pitches, which are beneficial for spinners. So, here’s a list of the Most spin-friendly pitches in Cricket.
1. Old Trafford, Manchester
Old Trafford is the stadium situated in England. Old Trafford’s pitch is famously known for its turning tracks. This pitch also helps fast bowlers. But it is a spin-dominated pitch. It can be named a “Legendary Stadium” because it has witnessed the famous incident of “Bowl of the Century” bowled by Shane Warne to Mike Gatting in 1993. Spinners have taken 757 wickets in this stadium at an average of 31.28. England’s former spinner, Jim Laker, is the most successful spin bowler with 27 wickets in this stadium.
2. P Sara Oval, Colombo
P Sara Oval is not a dream pitch for any batsmen. It is a stadium situated in Sri Lanka. As we all know, subcontinent pitches are highly spin-dominated, as this pitch is known for slower delivery, which makes it difficult for batters to play the shots. Legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took seven wickets against Pakistan in 2006 in this stadium. Spinner has a wicket percentage of 51.47%, and Muttiah Muralitharan is the most successful bowler in this ground, with 52 wickets in just 9 test matches with an average of 23.8.
3. Sabina Park, Jamaica
Sabina Park is the most spin-friendly pitch in Jamaica. Among Jamaica's deadly-fast moving angles, Sabina Park is a pitch that helps the spinner more. In this stadium, Shakib Al Hasan took six wickets against West Indies in the 2018 tour of West Indies. Courtney Walsh has taken the most wickets in test cricket (48) at this stadium.
4. M.A Chidambaram, Chennai
This stadium is commonly known as the Chepauk Stadium. It is often said that there are two colors of jerseys to be seen in this stadium: one is blue, and the second is yellow. The crowd of this stadium is known as the “Genuine Cricket fans”, as they also support an excellent opponent’s team. This ground is a turning track, and the spinner loves to bowl here. Generally, Batsmen struggle a lot against spinners on this pitch. Our Jumbo, Anil Kumble, has taken 48 wickets in 8 test matches with a phenomenal average of 19.56 in this stadium.
5. Sinhalese Sports Ground, Colombo
When it comes to spin, Subcontinent teams rely on spinners to take and win the match for their teams, and Sri Lanka is not one of them. This pitch provides support to spinners. This pitch has always been a blessing for Sri Lanka’s spinners. It is a stadium, which was very lucky for Muttiah Muralitharan. He has taken 166 wickets in just 24 matches with an average of 20.69, the most wickets any bowler takes in test matches at this stadium.
6. Edgbaston, Birmingham
Apart from the pitch, Edgbaston Stadium has witnessed many exciting matches. Be it 2005 ashes or 2019. It is the stadium which has given us many memorable games. It is the same stadium where Shane Warne bowled an unbelievable bowl to Andrew Strauss. Shane Warne is the most successful spinner in test matches, with 25 wickets in just four games with an average of 21.76. In the ODI, Adil Rashid is the best spinner, with 13 wickets in five matches with an average of 17.23.
7. Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi
It is a ground in which Anil Kumble achieved his "Unbelievable Record" of 10 Wickets against Pakistan. Now, this stadium's name has been changed to Arun Jaitley Stadium. Spinners enjoy bowling in this stadium, as the pitch favours spinners. Spinners have an average of 29.2 in this stadium. The pitch's dryness helps spinners use the rise to their benefit. Anil Kumble has taken 58 wickets in just seven test matches with an extraordinary average of 16.79, and he is the highest wicket-taker in this stadium.
8. Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE
Even though Sharjah Cricket Stadium is a small stadium with short boundaries, the pitch of this stadium is generally slow, and spinners benefit from turning tracks. As this stadium has spinner-friendly angles, Shane Warne is the leading wickets taker with 16 wickets in just two matches with an unbelievable average of 9.62. In ODI, Muttiah Muralitharan is the most successful spinner, with 82 doors with an average of 17.73.
9. Galle International Stadium, Galle
It is a stadium in Sri Lanka that empowers spinners, as it is a spin-dominated pitch. The Subcontinent batters, considered masters of playing spin, struggle on this pitch. Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker (116) on this pitch. He has also got his 800th test wicket against India on this pitch. Apart from the Subcontinent’s Spinners, Only Shane Warne was the successful bowler with 13 in just two test matches.
10. Green Park Stadium, Kanpur
Finding any pitch in India that could be more spin-friendly is challenging. In the Indian angle, the bowl starts getting turned from day one. It is one of the most spin-friendly pitches in India. Before Anil Kumble’s remarkable ten-wicket haul, Jasubhai Patel took the nine wickets in this ground. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh had a great duo with a combined 41 wickets in seven matches. Apart from Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble is the most successful bowler in this stadium. He has taken 21 wickets in three test matches with an average of 19.76.
