T20 World Cup 2024 To Be Shifted Outside Of USA? ICC Gives Clarification

Despite growing concerns about the pitches at the New York venue for the T20 World Cup, there are no plans to move the remaining matches from the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The newly installed drop-in pitches, which have heavily favored bowlers, have faced significant scrutiny after South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for 77 and India dismissed Ireland for 96. India is set to play Pakistan in their second Group A game at this venue on Sunday.

Once a superstar, always a superstar 🤩

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup 2024 ambassador Yuvraj Singh enjoyed the #INDvIRE game in New York. pic.twitter.com/E2wMmAoX8W

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 6, 2024

A report from BBC has said, "India have privately voiced their unhappiness with the unpredictable bounce and two-paced nature of the strips amid worries over the safety of their batters."

The temporary venue in New York, constructed specifically for the T20 World Cup, features 10 Tahoma grass pitches that were grown in Australia, shipped to Florida, and then transported by truck to New York. These pitches were installed a few weeks before the tournament began.

ICC Analysing T20 World Cup Situation

"The International Cricket Council (ICC) is believed to be analysing data from previously abandoned games to establish how to react should it need to act. However, ICC officials have maintained there are no contingency plans in place to switch any of the New York games to venues in Florida or Texas, both of which have natural turf strips.

"It is understood an unused pitch has been designated for the India v Pakistan showdown, although there is flexibility to alter that decision depending on how other pitches play before that encounter," said the report from BBC.

Australian curator Damien Hough, who manages drop-in pitches at the Adelaide Oval, was hired by the ICC to prepare the pitches in New York.

The outfield is made of Kentucky bluegrass grown in New Jersey on top of sand. In India's match against Ireland on Wednesday, the pitch exhibited uneven bounce, with balls either staying low or bouncing sharply.

Players such as Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Paul Stirling, Rohit Sharma, and Rishabh Pant took hits, with Rohit retiring hurt after scoring 52 due to a blow on his elbow. Other issues with the New York venue include a slow outfield due to the sand base and a 10-meter difference in the square boundaries on either side.

Additionally, concerns have been raised about the six drop-in pitches at the nearby Cantiague Park practice facility. South African batters preferred throwdowns over facing their bowlers or local net bowlers due to injury concerns.

Also Read: India vs Pakistan ‘Could Get Dangerous’ Because Of New York Conditions, Here’s Why