The encounter between Sri Lanka and South Africa turned out to be low-scoring and dull.
The encounter between Sri Lanka and South Africa on Monday (June 3) turned out to be low-scoring and dull. Since then, the playing surface has been drawing flak from all quarters.
Former India cricketer-turned- commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has also raised concerns about the nature of the pitch.
“I see a problem here for the ICC, because how are you going to change the pitch? It’s not like it’s underprepared. They have put in a lot of effort to make it an international standard. A good, fair T20 pitch. Maybe they could just keep rolling that pitch down and try and get it as firm as possible,” said Manjrekar on ESPNCricinfo’s show TimeOut.
In the Group D clash, South Africa bundled out Sri Lanka for a paltry 77 in 19.1 overs. Chasing the target, the Proteas were unable to cruise to an easy win as they lost four wickets and took 16.2 overs to get over the line.
Manjrekar was also critical of the outfield of the newly constructed stadium on the outskirts of New York, USA.
“The outfield is another concern. It was amazing that David Miller hit that grounded shot for four. Instead of four, if you’re getting one or two, that’s gonna keep the score down. The pitch has its trickery. So, it’s going to be tough. I don’t see it changing dramatically,” Manjrekar remarked.
“Maybe the pitch will get a little better, but the outfield is going to be a problem. It’s a very very slow outfield, and you can see that every time that ball pitches into the outfield, the sand sort of bursts through. So, there’s a lot of sand base there. So yeah, I think there is some work for the ICC to do.”
The highly-anticipated India versus Pakistan clash is slated to take place at the same venue on June 9 and fans, players and experts alike will all be hoping for the ICC to take the needed measures to make it a spectacle.