What type of pitch is preferred for each level of cricket?
Guideline- Australia
- Cricket Australia
- Facility Guidelines
- Pitches and grounds
- All formats
- 2023
- Curators
Guidance Note 02 (Playing Pitches) in Cricket Australia's Community Cricket Facility Guidelines (Section 3, December 2023) sets the preferred pitch type:
| Level of competition | Preferred pitch type |
|---|---|
| Cricket Blast game | Flexible |
| Junior cricket, Stage 1 | Synthetic |
| Junior cricket, Stage 2 | Synthetic |
| Junior cricket, Stage 3 | Synthetic or turf |
| Open age, community club | Synthetic or turf |
| Premier | Turf |
Notes from the guideline
- Cricket Blast games are typically played on the outfield. Mowing a dedicated pitch area in the outfield gives a better experience, and permanent or roll-out synthetic pitches are also suitable.
- Synthetic is preferable for Stage 1, but one of the outer turf pitches of a centre wicket table, or in some cases a mown area of the outfield, is an acceptable alternative.
- Pitch standards for full size pitches are guided by the Laws of Cricket, and the junior formats modify pitch dimensions.
Source: Cricket Australia Facility Guidelines, Guidance Note 02: Playing Pitches.
Added 24 Oct 2026