The former Indian cricketer, Sanjay Manjrekar, has said that the ICC must address the quality of pitch at the recently constructed Nassau County Stadium in New York for hosting matches of ICC T20 world cup.
Nassau County Stadium will stage a total of eight games in the competition which includes three India’s matches against Ireland (June 5), Pakistan (June 9) and USA (June 12).
In a chat with ESPNcricinfo, he asked if the groundsmen can make “firm” tracks because currently, the outfield is very slow. However, he expressed his gratitude towards them as they did their part to put up an international standard pitch at this venue.“The outfield was slow and there were concerns about it.” This criticism followed a low scoring match between South Africa and Sri Lanka which saw Sri Lanka knocked out for just 77 runs in 19.1 overs. South Africa chased down that target in 16.2 overs with batters from both sides struggling on the sluggish surface which resulted into just six fours and six sixes being hit throughout.
“Because how are you going to change the pitch? I see a problem here for ICC. It is not like it is unready at all. They have done considerable work to make it international standard, a good fair t20 pitch may be. Perhaps they could roll that pitch again and again while trying to make it more compact,” explained Manjrekar.
“Another concern is outfield; I mean David Miller did hit one that went along the ground for four instead of going down for two or one; therefore reducing your score.” The trickery of this wicket. So it will be tough.I do not see that changing significantly. Maybe somewhere along those lines would improve?. But what about outside?”
“This outfield is extremely very slow one can tell each time ball lands on outfield sand sort of puffs up.So there is a lot of sand base there. So I think there is still some work to be done with the ICC,” he ended by saying.
Ireland will take on the Canadians at this stadium on 7 June in their next game.
