T20 World Cup: ICC Defends Nassau County Pitches Amid Safety Concerns

ICC Defends Nassau County Pitches Amid Safety Concerns, No Plans to Relocate T20 World Cup Matches

Despite mounting criticism over the condition of the drop-in pitches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has no immediate plans to move the remaining T20 World Cup matches to alternative venues.

The untested pitches have drawn significant flak for heavily favoring bowlers, leading to low scores and safety concerns. Sri Lanka was bowled out for a mere 77 by South Africa, while India dismissed Ireland for just 96. The unpredictable bounce and two-paced nature of the pitches have raised eyebrows.

According to a BBC report, the Indian team has privately expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch conditions, citing safety worries for their batters. India is scheduled to face Pakistan in a highly anticipated Group A match at the same venue on Sunday.

The ICC is reportedly analyzing data from previous matches to determine potential actions but has stated that there are no current plans to shift the New York games to Florida or Texas, which feature natural turf pitches. An unused pitch has been earmarked for the India-Pakistan match, with flexibility to change based on conditions.

The Nassau County venue, specifically constructed for the T20 World Cup, features ten Tahoma grass pitches imported from Australia. These were installed a few weeks before the tournament. Australian curator Damien Hough, an expert in drop-in pitches from Adelaide Oval, was brought in by the ICC to prepare the pitches.

However, the outfield, made of Kentucky bluegrass grown in New Jersey and placed atop sand, has contributed to the pitch issues. The India-Ireland match highlighted the challenges, with balls either bouncing at ankle height or rising sharply. Several players, including Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, sustained injuries. Sharma retired hurt after scoring 52 due to an elbow injury.

Additionally, the venue's slow outfield and uneven boundary lengths, differing by 10 meters on either side, have further complicated play. During the India-Ireland match, fans were seen cheering for Ireland to extend the game, hoping to see more of the Indian team bat.

Concerns also extend to the six drop-in pitches at the practice facility in nearby Cantiague Park. South African batters preferred throwdowns over facing bowlers in the nets due to safety concerns.

The ICC's decision to stick with the Nassau County pitches has been met with mixed reactions. Some experts believe that the pitches will improve as the tournament progresses, while others argue that the safety of players should be paramount. The ICC will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary.

Tags: #T20WorldCup, #NassauCountyPitches, #SafetyConcerns, #DropInPitches, #ICC