A report in Daily Mail UK has fired up a fresh controversy as the ICC World Cup 2023 readies for the first semi-final between India and New Zealand to be played in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15.
The report in the Daily Mail UK stated that the BCCI has switched the pitch for their team's semi-final without ICC’s permission to suit India. Pitches at ICC events are prepared under the supervision of the governing body's consultant, Andy Atkinson, who agrees in advance with the home board which of the numbered strips on the square will be used for each game.
But Daily Mail reported that the agreement has been ignored as the tournament reaches its climax, with the semi-final set to take place on a pitch that has already been used twice - potentially assisting India's world-class spinners.
The pitch for Wednesday's game at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium was supposed to be No 7, an entirely fresh surface unused for any of the venue's four group matches.
But as per a WhatsApp message circulated on Tuesday to a group of more than 50 BCCI and ICC officials confirmed that the first semi-final had been moved to pitch No 6, which has already staged games between England and South Africa, plus India and Sri Lanka.
Atkinson is understood to have been told there is an unspecified problem with pitch No. 7 - an opinion he is thought not to share.
Furthermore, concerns are there that if India reaches the final which is to be played in Ahmedabad, the pitch there may also be changed unilaterally.
Former England player Michael Vaughan, who is in India for the ICC World Cup 2023, seemed to be siding with the controversial report.
He posted on X: “A World Cup semi should be played on a fresh pitch. It’s as simple as that ..”
Former Australia cricketer Damien Martyn agreed with Vaughan and said that a World Cup semi-final needs a fresh pitch.
He quoted Vaughan’s post and said: “Agree on @MichaelVaughan if this happens. A World Cup Semi-Final needs a fresh pitch. But maybe we are all missing something? #india #NewZealand #Semifinal #icccricketworldcup2023”
Darren Lehmann, former Australia cricketer and coach, meanwhile posted: “Fresh pitch for ICC events a must . Not even a question , just should happen.”
