Srinagar: The cricket World is aghast after it was leaked that the pitch in play for the India vs New Zealand World Cup 2023 semifinal clash is used picth and not a new one at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai after team management reportedly had a request granted by BCCI curators.
The Indian Express reported India officials asked BCCI curators to shave off most of the grass on the playing surface.
A Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official reportedly confirmed to the newspaper a message was conveyed to prepare a slow track before the home team reached Mumbai.
“It won’t be a turner but the team had asked for a slow pitch. It was the main reason we shaved off the grass,” a source told the newspaper.
There was also a rotation from the expected fresh pitch No.7 back to the used pitch No.6, which NZ captain Kane Williamson confirmed at the toss.
ICC released a statement, suggesting changes were not uncommon.
“Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length, and has already happened a couple of times,” it read.
“This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host.
“The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won’t play well.”
Meanwhile an email from ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson complained the pitch for the final may be a slower one, previously used twice, instead of the one intended.
Cricketers like Darren Lehman, Michael Vaughan, Sikander Bakht have termed it unfortunate thing which shouldnt happen in global tournament.