It is incorrect to say sticky wickets are 'far less common'. Almost all organised cricket, well over 99%, is played on uncovered pitches which have the potential to become sticky, in fact as there has been a massive decline in the skills of groundsmanship in the last 10 years I'd go as far as saying sticky wickets are *more* common now. Only professional cricketers (around 0.001% of all league registered cricketers) are guaranteed covered pitches, while at club level covering is sproadic, generally top club leagues in England demand covers but they are unheard of outside the professional game in the subcontinent.