The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a new statement acknowledging that the Pitch disaster at Nassau County Stadium in New York is not up to the standards required for the Twenty20 World Cup of 2024.

In response to widespread criticism from fans and experts, the ICC said on Thursday, June 6 that they are working to address the problems and provide a better surface before the India vs. Pakistan match, which is scheduled to take place on June 9, Sunday.

ICC's Efforts to Rectify the Pitch Disaster

The T20 World Cup in Nassau County Stadium proved to be a bowling paradise for both Sri Lanka vs. South Africa and India vs. Ireland and some of the fast bowlers' balls stood up from short of good length and nearly took off the batsmen' heads. Anrich Nortje of South Africa and Jasprit Bumrah, one of India's fast bowlers, relished their time on the pitch while hitters found it difficult to score runs.

“T20 Inc and the ICC recognise 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 have been working hard since the conclusion of yesterday’s game to remedy the situation and deliver the best possible surfaces for the remaining matches," ICC said in a statement.

Pitch disaster
Image Source: CEAT

When Indian captain Rohit Sharma was forced to leave the field during the India vs. Ireland game due to a blow to his shoulder, it was further evidence of the dangerous nature of the surface. Fans and analysts became even more concerned as a result, with many criticising ICC for the poorly prepared pitch.

In the eleventh over, Josh Little's delivery caused Rishabh Pant to sprain his elbow, further intensifying the drama. After receiving prompt medical attention, Pant bravely continued his innings and hit a game-winning six. Expect in-depth updates regarding the conditions of both players. Serious questions concerning player safety on this pitch have been raised by these instances.

DROP-IN-PITCH

It's crucial to remember that the Nassau County pitch is a drop-in surface. For the T20 World Cup, Adelaide will construct four main pitches and six drop-in surfaces, which will then be shipped to Florida and laid in New York.

As observed by analyst Ravi Shastri, who also mentioned that the curators have promised progress over time, drop-in pitches frequently take some time to settle. Nevertheless, the pitch's current condition has made it known to be "tricky" throughout the game.

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