Top 5 pitch curators of the 21st century

Every sport involves numerous elements which work synchronously to make the game as interesting as possible for the fans. In a movie wherein only the people appearing on the big screen enjoy most of the fame and accolades, in a sport too, only the primary elements of the game receive that adulation from the fans.

In cricket, we often talk about those flawless batsmen and those unplayable bowlers, the coaches and the umpires, the rules of the game, the sizes of the bats, the distance of a six, the outfields and the pitches. In fact, an entire segment in a pre-match show is dedicated to the analysis of the pitch. It is an evidence of how instrumental the condition of the pitch is in deciding the course of a game.

This brings us to one of the most undervalued individuals in the game - the pitch curators. A pitch curator's job is to prepare the best pitch gauging the weather conditions in that region.

Till the 1980s, there was no such dedicated role of a pitch curator. Gradually, the ICC and the experts started realizing the importance of pitch preparation and its impact on the result of a game. Since the start of the 21st century, the role of a pitch curator has become much more concrete.

Let us have a look at 5 of the finest pitch curators of the 21st century who made sure that the contest between the bat and the ball is a fair one.

#5 Michael Hylton - Sabina Park (Jamaica)

Michael Hylton's Sabina Park pitch is a fast bowler's paradise

Best Known for - Preparing grass-covered pitches helpful for the fast bowlers.

Located in Jamaica, Sabina Park cricket stadium is considered to be one of the fastest wickets to bat on in the world. The pitch most of the time sports a significant grass covering that results in extra pace and swing.

Michael Hylton is the in charge of the pitch. Being an individual who is strictly against the notion of batting friendly wickets that result in high-scoring games, Hylton believes in preparing fast bowling decks that test an individual's batting skills to the core.

Though he emphasizes on the fact that technically sound batsmen who can survive the initial period of discomfort, can capitalize later and score heavily alluding to the knocks of 150 plus by Ricky Ponting, Steve Smith, and KL Rahul.

Out of the 46 Test matches played at Sabina Park overall, 33 have yielded a result. The numbers are even more astonishing for the 21st century with 15 out of the 16 Test matches played yielding results. The single drawn match was a rain-affected one.

#4 Brett Sipthorpe - Basin Reserve (Wellington)

The pitch at Basin Reserve has grass on the first two days.

Best Known for - Preparing good Test wickets helpful for fast bowlers in the first half and for batsmen and spinners in the second half.

Basin Reserve is the oldest cricket stadium in New Zealand and Brett Sipthorpe was its curator for over nine years (2006-2015). Along with the Basin Reserve stadium, Sipthorpe also curated the pitches at the Westpac stadium in Wellington.

When it comes to preparing pitches for Test matches, Sipthorpe is a genius. The tracks prepared by him generally had grass covering on day one and two of the Test match, giving the bowlers a slight edge. Day three onwards, the wickets use to flatten out gradually, bringing the batsmen into the picture.

Such beautifully constructed pitches always ensured a thrilling contest. An average 1st and 2nd innings total of around 300 runs indicates tough batting conditions in the first of half of the Test match.

Brett Sipthorpe is a versatile individual. During his tenure at the Basin Reserve and Westpac, he was also in charge of preparing the multipurpose Westpac stadium for Rugby games.

#3 Steve Birks - Trent Bridge (Nottingham)

Trent Bridge has witnessed several great Ashes matches.

Best Known for - Preparing result producing pitches for four-day matches.

Steve Birks has been awarded as The Best Groundsman of the year twice in a span of seven years by the English Cricket Board (ECB). The man in charge at the Nottingham's Trent Bridge stadium, Birks is best known for his capability to produce result yielding wickets for four-day games.

When it comes to international Test matches, Birks constructs wickets that are bowler-friendly to start with and then gradually become more suited for the batsmen. His pitches for one-day games also have something in it for the fast bowlers. An average score of close to 230 in the first and the second innings of ODIs signifies that it is not just another Belter.

Steve Birks has an overall experience of 25 years in the field of preparing pitches and maintaining the ground.

#2 Sunil Chauhan - Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (Dharamshala)

Dharamshala pitch offers help to the seamers and spinners

Best Known for - Preparing wickets that help the seamers and spinners and reward the technically sound batsmen.

Regarded as one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world, the HPCA stadium's pitch pleasantly contrasts to other pitches in India. The pitch here normally offers lateral movement to the fast bowlers, good bounce, turn to the spinners and a great carry to the keeper. The HPCA chief curator, Sunil Chauhan, who gave up his role as an administrator loves preparing decks that have an even bounce and some seam movement off the pitch.

While working as an admin manager at the HPCA ground, Chauhan attended a two-day seminar arranged by the BCCI on pitch curation. Post that he went on to attend a three-week course on pitch curation at Mohali.

The pitches prepared by Chauhan are a result of his learnings during the above course. The sight of fast bowlers dominating in early stages of the games played in India is a rare and welcoming one. The average first and second innings total in ODIs at HPCA stadium is 200 and in T20s it is 140.

#1 Chris Scott - Wanderers stadium (Johannesburg)

Chris Scott has worked for 32 years at the Wanderers stadium.

Best Known for - Preparing wickets that are neither too moist nor too dry thus doing justice to the bowlers and the batsmen.

Arguably the most respected pitch curator ever - Chris Scott holds an astonishing record of being the only groundsman to be adjudged as the Man of the Match. In a match between South Africa and New Zealand (December 2000), day one was completely abandoned due to incessant rain. The condition of the pitch and the situation of the ground was so bad that any play on day two seemed impossible. However, Scott and his team worked rigorously to make sure that the pitch is ready to play on day two.

Even day four was washed out due to rain. But once again, Scott and his team's efforts and hard work ensured play on day five. In order to appreciate the commitment of Scott and his team, Scott was awarded the Man of the Match.

Pitches at the Wanderers are normally fast and have some assistance for the pacers. It has hosted a lot of World Cup games. In the 32 years that Chris Scott has spent at the Wanderers, he has ensured that the pitches he prepares, result in enthralling contests.