Forward of the Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final between New Zealand and India, an argument erupted over allegations of a last-minute change in pitch on the Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s occasion. A report claimed that the Indian board determined to go along with ‘used pitch’ for the semi-final encounter, whereas a ‘recent pitch’ was presupposed to be put into play earlier. A number of former cricketers have reacted to the story, giving diverse views on the matter.
In response to a Every day Mail report, the Worldwide Cricket Council’s (ICC) pitch marketing consultant, Andy Atkinson, had initially stamped an unused floor for use for the semi-final at Wankhede however the determination was later modified to a used floor. The report claimed that the pitch which might be in play on Wednesday, has already been used twice.
Atkinson even wrote an e-mail to the Worldwide Cricket Council, the report claimed. The purported e-mail, in line with the Every day Mail, learn: “Because of these actions, one should speculate if this would be the first ever (World Cup) ultimate to have a pitch which has been particularly chosen and ready to their stipulation on the request of the crew administration and/or the hierarchy of the house nation board. Or will it’s chosen or ready with out favouritism for both of the edges competing within the match within the common method, and unquestionably as a result of it’s the common pitch for the event?”
The report additionally quoted a BCCI official as saying: “The ICC impartial pitch marketing consultant works with the host and venues on their proposed pitch allocations, and this course of is ongoing all through an occasion of this size and nature.”
A report within the Indian Categorical additionally acknowledged that the BCCI insisted on a ‘gradual pitch’ for the semi-final in opposition to New Zealand.
Gavaskar, Vaughan React To Pitch Change Controversy
Indian cricket nice Sunil Gavaskar, reacting to the controversy, mentioned: “The pitch is there for all of the groups, so I do not suppose there needs to be an excessive amount of dialogue on what this pitch will do or not do. I do imagine that this Indian crew is completely able to dealing with any sort of floor. Having you seen that within the match thus far. And if it is a drier pitch, which is prone to be the case just because the rains have gone. So there can be there is no such thing as a trace of any moisture.”
“Sure, there can be one which there may be just a bit little bit of spin, no query about it. However the Mumbai pitch is mostly superb for bating, so I do not suppose there needs to be an excessive amount of of a difficulty. With the sort of bowling that now we have, bowlers who’ve bowled fantastically, whether or not they’re bowling first or second, I do not suppose the pitch can be an excessive amount of of a difficulty in any respect.”
“I believe that is sometimes, , on the eve of the match when you don’t have anything to write down about after which, , you attempt to say one thing since you need to fill in your columns, you need to discuss pitches and stuff like that. To me, it does not make a distinction. If the pitch adjustments after the toss, they actually have a dialog. But when the pitch is similar earlier than the toss, I do not suppose any noise needs to be made in any respect,” mentioned Gavaskar on India At present.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan additionally reacted to the controversy, suggesting a recent pitch needs to be used for the semi-final.
“A World Cup semi needs to be performed on a recent pitch .. It is so simple as that ..” posted Vaughan on X (previously Twitter).
It additionally must be famous that the New Zealand has not objected to the alleged ‘pitch change’ but. NDTV tried getting a touch upon the matter from the BCCI. A response is awaited.
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