ICC disclose pitch ratings for 2024 T20 World Cup; Trinidad semi-final and two New York surfaces slammed with 'unsatisfactory' verdict
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally unveiled the ratings for the pitches used in the 2024 T20 World Cup, more than a month after the tournament's culmination in the United States of America (USA) and the West Indies. The playing surfaces were criticized by fans and pundits alike over the course of the tournament, and the ratings reflect the same.
Overall, 31 pitches were adjudged 'satisfactory' by the match referees, while 18 surfaces were handed a 'very good' rating in the eyes of the ICC. However, there were three pitches in particular that earned the governing body's wrath.
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, which was deployed solely for the purpose of hosting the tournament hosted eight matches in total. According to the ratings released by the ICC, two matches hosted by the venue were on 'unsatisfactory' pitches.
The two fixtures in question are also the first set of matches to be ever hosted by the makeshift venue. The group stage clashes between South Africa and Sri Lanka as well as India against Ireland received the lowest possible rating. Both matches witnessed help for the seamers, inconsistent bounce, and low totals.
South Africa had bundled out Sri Lanka for a paltry 77, while Ireland suffered a similar fate at the hands of eventual champions as they folded out for 96 runs. The venue also hosted the iconic India-Pakistan fixture, which also turned out to be a low-scoring affair, but was spared of an 'unsatisfactory' rating.
The third and final dubious pitch in question was unfortunately in use for a crucial semi-final encounter between Afghanistan and South Africa at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad. The Rashid Khan-led side were bowled out for 56 runs and lost by nine wickets as their dream run in the tournament ended on an anti-climactic note.
"That’s not the pitch that you want to have a match, a semi-final of a World Cup" - Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott after the team's exit
Trinidad hosted four Group C matches earlier in the 2024 T20 World Cup. While there was a general expectation that the surface would not be a batting-friendly strip, no one expected such a deck where the semi-final fixture would be wrapped up in a little over 20 overs.
"That’s not the pitch that you want to have a match, a semi-final of a World Cup, on plain and simple. It should be a fair contest. I’m not saying it should be flat completely with no spin and no seam movement, but I’m saying you shouldn’t have batsmen worrying about going forward and the ball flying over their head. You should be confident in your foot movement and being able to hit through the line or use your skills," Afghanistan head coach Trott said.
Former England skipper Vaughan had also criticized the surface, terming it as a 'shocker'.
"That pitch was a shocker, absolute shocker. I mean, we have seen some poor pitches in New York. You can kind of understand in New York there were drop-in pitches, pop-up stadium, but there is no excuse for a pitch like that, that too for a semi-final," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz
The pitch and outfield used for the T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados was adjudged 'very good' by the officials.