The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium has hosted two matches so far in the ongoing T20 World Cup, and both have been low-scoring affairs, drawing significant criticism. The pitch has been slow, and the outfield is less than ideal, making it difficult for players to score boundaries. This has led to frustration among players and fans alike.
The first match to draw ire was between Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3. Sri Lanka, batting first, managed a meager 77 runs, and South Africa struggled to chase it down. A similar scenario unfolded in the later match between India and Ireland. Reports indicate that the Indian team officially complained about the subpar pitch conditions in New York.
Despite the backlash, the International Cricket Council (ICC) remains unfazed. In an official statement, the cricket governing body acknowledged the issues but attributed them to the lack of cricket played on the surface, which has led to its underprepared state. The statement assured that world-class groundsmen are working tirelessly to improve the conditions for future matches.
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“ICC recognises that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted. The world-class grounds team has been working hard since the conclusion of yesterday’s game to remedy the situation and deliver the best possible surfaces for the remaining matches,” the statement read.
JUST IN: ICC release a statement regarding the state of the pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York 🏟️ #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dKx47WZSxZ
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 6, 2024
The stadium in New York is set to host several more matches, including Canada vs. Ireland on June 7, and Netherlands vs. South Africa, leading up to the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan game on June 9.
The ICC is under pressure to ensure these matches are played on better-quality surfaces, especially given the high expectations for the India-Pakistan clash. However, current signs suggest that improvements might be challenging to achieve in the short term.
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India’s skipper, Rohit Sharma, has also expressed concerns about the pitch. The 37-year-old stated that he would decide on the final playing XI only after inspecting the match day pitch, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the playing conditions at the venue.
