Oil protest threat forces ICC to prepare two pitches for WTC 2023 Final

The WTC 2023 final is due to get underway on June 7 at the Oval.

Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins | GettyThe ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final between India and Australia is all set to get underway on June 7 at The Oval in London.

For the all-important encounter, the International Cricket Council has reportedly prepared two pitches.

As per a report published in ESPNCricinfo, the apex body has prepared a back-up pitch in case ‘Just Stop Oil’ activists disrupt the final.

Two days ago, the protesters had stopped traffic near The Oval and had to be cleared by police before the Australian team could reach the venue for training.

Last week, the England cricket team's bus was held up by the protesters on its way to Lord's for the one-off Test match against Ireland.

Ahead of the WTC final, Australia skipper Pat Cummins hoped that ‘Just Stop Oil’ protesters would not disrupt the game.

“It’s something we got in the security briefing a couple of days ago,” Cummins told reporters. “I’ve heard that they’re aware of it and keeping an eye out. But that’s as much as we’ve heard. So hopefully, it doesn’t happen, obviously. But yeah, I’ve heard there are a few different events that have been affected.”

The protesters have held up sporting events in the last few months, halting the world snooker championship and the English Premiership rugby final.

One protester climbed onto a table and scattered a bag of orange powder paint at the snooker tournament while protesters invaded the pitch 15 minutes into the rugby match at Twickenham between Saracens and Sale.

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 Jun, 2023

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