Cricket

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.

The Eisenhower Park in New York's Nassau County witnessed a whirlwind of excitement during the T20 World Cup, hosting three matches at its pop-up stadium. The highlight came on June 9th, when India faced Pakistan in a thrilling encounter. However, the stadium's existence will be short-lived.Within six weeks of the tournament's conclusion, the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium will be dismantled. Heavy machinery has already arrived to begin the process of transforming the 34,000-capacity stadium back into flat ground. The removal of the structure is expected to take approximately six weeks, a stark contrast to the 106 days it took to construct.Despite the stadium's temporary nature, it provided unforgettable memories for local Indian fans and those who traveled from afar. Rohit Sharma's team staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Pakistan by six runs, with Jasprit Bumrah's three-wicket spell proving crucial.The low-scoring games at the venue raised concerns about the drop-in pitches, with the ICC acknowledging that they fell short of expectations. However, the pitches may have a brighter future than the stadium itself. According to an ICC official, they could be retained and maintained by local authorities or transported to another location for use.The stadium's potential to host Major League Cricket (MLC) matches did not materialize due to a lack of interest from tournament organizers and franchises.The United States hosted 16 group-stage fixtures alongside fellow tournament hosts West Indies. Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas and the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Florida were the other two tournament venues in the US.The tournament's second stage, the 'Super 8s,' will take place entirely in the Caribbean islands, culminating in the final on June 29th in Barbados.

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, a temporary venue constructed for the ongoing T20 World Cup in the United States, is set to be dismantled. The stadium, which hosted India's three group matches, including the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash, will be demolished to make way for future development.Bulldozers have been spotted at the venue, ready to tear down the temporary structure that had a seating capacity of 34,000. India's match against co-hosts USA on Wednesday marked the final game to be played at the stadium.The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium was one of three venues in the United States to host group-stage fixtures for the T20 World Cup. The other two venues were the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas and the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Florida.With the group stage now complete, the tournament will move to the Caribbean islands for the "Super 8s" stage. The final will be held on June 29 in Barbados.The dismantling of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium marks the end of an era for cricket in the United States. The stadium was a symbol of the growing popularity of the sport in the country and hosted some of the most memorable matches of the T20 World Cup.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, expressed uncertainty about the pitch conditions at the Nassau County ground ahead of their crucial T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan. The ground has witnessed inconsistent scores, including India's low total against Ireland."New York is not our home ground, and we don't have much awareness about its nature," said Rohit. "It behaves differently on different days, so even the curator is confused."The slow outfield has added to the challenges, with some shots bouncing high and others struggling to roll. Rohit emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions and playing smart cricket.Despite the unpredictable pitch, Rohit remained confident in his team's ability to overcome adversity. "Playing good cricket holds the key, not opposition, not pitch," he said. "We have experience in playing in pace-friendly countries like Australia and South Africa, and we thrive in these difficult moments."Rohit hinted that Rishabh Pant would continue to bat at No. 3, as he did against Ireland. He also downplayed the pressure of playing against Pakistan, stating that "nothing changes" and that "T20 is unpredictable."India has a historical edge over Pakistan in World Cups, but Rohit refused to rely on past records. "On your day, anyone can beat anyone," he said.

Nassau County Prepares for High-Security ICC Men's T20 World Cup India-Pakistan ClashNassau County officials have implemented comprehensive security measures to ensure the safety of attendees at the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup India-Pakistan match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.In response to a vague terror threat circulating online, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman emphasized that "none of this is unanticipated." He stated that the county is prepared to "leave no stone unturned" to protect the public.Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder outlined the extensive security detail, which includes over 100 additional patrol officers, inter-departmental collaboration, and the involvement of federal agencies such as the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection."The scale and magnitude of the security for this India-Pakistan match will be more compared to when we hosted the USA President Barack Obama some years ago," Ryder said.The security measures include increased patrols in the vicinity of the stadium, coverage of houses of worship, small businesses, and malls, and the deployment of cameras throughout the stadium and its surrounding pathways.Ryder emphasized that the county has "the best of intelligence" and is "very confident" in its ability to keep everyone safe.Despite the heightened security, officials stressed that the event is expected to be a celebration of cricket and a showcase of the sport's growing popularity in the United States.

Batters in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 are facing a new challenge at Nassau County: unpredictable wickets that favor bowlers. Heinrich Klaasen, South Africa's prolific run-scorer, believes batters must adapt to these conditions and "suck it up."Klaasen acknowledges that the wicket used in South Africa's match against Sri Lanka was "a little bit too much on the bowler's side," but he emphasizes that it's part of the game. He urges batters to play smarter cricket and use their cricket brains to overcome the challenges posed by the surface.However, Klaasen also expresses concern about the inconsistent bounce on the wicket, which he believes borders on dangerous. Former Zimbabwe captain and England coach Andy Flower agrees, stating that the bounce is making life difficult for batters.Another issue at Nassau County is the heavy and sandy outfield, which limits the distance of even well-timed shots. Klaasen believes that South Africa can fare better in future matches because they have experience playing in these conditions.Despite the challenges, Klaasen believes it's still possible to clear the ropes at Nassau County. He notes that the boundaries are not as large as they appear, and that batters can still hit boundaries by playing on one side of the field.Klaasen also visited Yankee Stadium during South Africa's stay in New York and was impressed by the size of the baseball field. He believes that baseball batters have a different approach to hitting than cricketers, and that cricket is more entertaining than baseball.South Africa's next match is against Netherlands, who have defeated them in their previous two World Cup meetings. Klaasen is confident that South Africa can overcome the challenges posed by Nassau County and emerge victorious.

Cricket has made its grand debut in New York, captivating the hearts of thousands of Indian fans who flocked to the Nassau County ground on Wednesday morning. The usually quiet Westbury station transformed into a sea of blue as commuters were greeted by the unexpected sight of cricket enthusiasts.Buses arranged by the ICC to transport fans from the station were filled to capacity, carrying a diverse crowd from across the US and Canada. The Indian Diaspora, adorned in tri-color paint and waving flags, expressed their excitement for the arrival of their beloved sport."This is our very own, this is what we live for," exclaimed Abhay, a techie from Boston who had driven for hours to witness the historic moment.Among the crowd was Shyamali Chakraborty, an elderly woman from Kolkata who had traveled with a group of 17. "We came here for a picnic," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.The Indian team's captain, Rohit Sharma, had promised to "leave something" for the fans, and the bowlers delivered on that promise. The band played, the tri-color fluttered, and the crowd erupted in cheers as India's bowlers dominated the opposition.The atmosphere was electric as the Indian fans reveled in the celebration of their sport on a new shore. Despite the unavailability of tickets for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match, fans remained optimistic, hoping to witness the magic of Virat Kohli's batting.Cricket's arrival in New York marks a significant milestone for the sport, bringing together a passionate community of fans and showcasing the global appeal of the game.

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Sparks Massive Security Operation in New YorkThe highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the group stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday has prompted an unprecedented security operation in Nassau County, New York. The temporary 34,000-seat stadium in East Meadow is expected to host thousands of passionate fans, leading officials to prepare for an event dubbed the "Super Bowl on steroids."The intense rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most captivating in sports, and the match is projected to attract millions of viewers worldwide. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman acknowledged the significance of the event, stating, "India vs Pakistan is like the Super Bowl on steroids. We had no idea how huge it was. We want to put our best foot forward."To ensure a safe and secure environment, an extraordinary security effort has been implemented. Law enforcement personnel from various levels are collaborating within the county, which is adjacent to New York City. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has also announced enhanced security measures for the World Cup, citing reported threats, including those specifically related to the India-Pakistan fixture.Blakeman expressed confidence in the security arrangements, stating, "I'm very confident that this is a safe environment - if it wasn't, then I wouldn't hold it."The high demand for tickets reflects the intense rivalry and passion surrounding the match. As of Monday afternoon, the least expensive ticket available on the resale website StubHub was priced at $790.The United States is co-hosting the T20 World Cup with the West Indies, with matches also taking place in Texas and Florida. This event is seen as an opportunity for cricket to gain a foothold in the American market and pave the way for its return to the Olympic program in 2028.