The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its pitch and outfield ratings for the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, and the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York has come under scrutiny. The pitch at the venue was rated as ‘unsatisfactory,’ drawing criticism for its poor quality. Despite the concerns, the pitch used for the India vs Pakistan match was not labeled as poor.
Pitch Concerns
- Nassau County Cricket Stadium:
- The pitch was heavily criticized and even deemed ‘dangerous’ by some.
- The average score at the venue was just 108, with the highest score being 137 across 16 innings.
- ICC Ratings:
- Not all matches at Nassau were rated poorly. The India vs Pakistan match, where India defended a modest 119 runs, was not flagged by the ICC.
- However, matches like India vs Ireland and Sri Lanka vs South Africa at the same venue received poor ratings due to low-scoring games with less than 100 runs in both innings.
Broader Criticism
- Brian Lara Stadium:
- Another venue under the ICC’s microscope is the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.
- The pitch for the first semifinal between Afghanistan and South Africa was also rated poorly, with Afghanistan being bowled out for just 56 runs.
- Coaches’ Reactions:
- Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s head coach, expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch, calling it unsuitable for a World Cup semifinal. He emphasized the need for a fair contest, where players can confidently use their skills without worrying about unpredictable pitch behavior.