ICC Delays Pitch Ratings for T20 World Cup Matches in US and West Indies

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to release official ratings for the pitch and outfield conditions of the 54 matches played during the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, despite the tournament concluding over seven weeks ago.

Particular scrutiny surrounds the eight matches held at the Nassau County ground in New York state. The fresh drop-in pitches, prepared by Adelaide curator Damian Hough, resulted in an average first innings score of just 107.6 runs across the eight games played at this venue.

The ratings for the matches held in the West Indies are also awaited, but the focus remains on the performance of the pitches at the Nassau County ground. The ICC website, which provides ratings for pitch and outfield conditions, appears to have neglected updating this information since May 31, 2024, for both men's and women's international matches.

The cricket venue in New York faced severe criticism from around the globe due to its unpredictable bounce and sluggish outfield. These conditions made run-scoring a challenging task, with even modest totals of 120 proving to be difficult to chase down.

The delay in updating pitch and outfield ratings on the ICC website, now spanning 46 days, is unusual given that during the 50-over World Cup in India, such assessments were typically posted within a week of a match's conclusion.

The match referees for the eight matches in New York were Ranjan Madugalle (3 games), David Boon (3 games), Jeff Crowe, and Richie Richardson. Given the rating categories of very good, good, satisfactory, average, and below average, it's likely that New York will receive an average or below average rating for both the pitch and outfield if assessed fairly.

With cricket being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ICC is eager to avoid any negative findings regarding pitch quality during the global event in the US. Over the next four years, the ICC will need to develop the necessary sporting infrastructure to support cricket's Olympic debut, as New York's performance did not provide a strong example for the sport's entry into the Games.

Tags: #ICC, #T20WorldCup, #PitchRatings, #NassauCounty, #NewYork