The cover-drive and it's complexities

#3 Pitch conditions

Not all pitches are suitable for playing the cover drive

Not all pitches are suitable for playing the outstretch-armed shot through the covers and the pitch has to be flat enough to execute the shot, while the bounce has to be trustable to get on top of and cream the ball through the covers.

Most importantly, the ball has to be a delicious half-volley, in order to negate the swing of the ball substantially. The nature of the turf is of prime importance for deciding to go on with the shot.

Playing the shot on a green top is no less than flirting with danger, more so when the ball has its gloss and shine intact. The new ball tends to do both in the air and off the pitch, while after the ball gets old, it still does enough off the pitch to keep the bowlers interested.

On a spitting cobra, there is an abundance of cracks. It only needs to land on one of those cracks to misbehave and trap the batsman.