This is a developing story. The latest update: The ICC Statement regarding Pitch Swap Controversy, “Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length and have already happened a couple of times. This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host. The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won’t play well.”
The upcoming semi-final clash between India and New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, set to take place in Mumbai on Wednesday afternoon, has taken an unexpected turn regarding the choice of the playing surface.
The India vs New Zealand game was supposed to be played on Pitch 7 at Wankhede Stadium, an entirely fresh surface. Instead, it’s been moved to a pitch (Pitch 6) that has already been used twice.
Rohit says the pitch “looks on the slower side”. Williamson confirms it’s a “used surface”. A reminder that the pre-WC agreement was the Mumbai semi would be on a fresh pitch, and that the late change took place behind the back of ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson.
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) November 15, 2023
Pitch 6 has already seen action in the tournament, hosting two matches: South Africa’s dominant 229-run victory over England on October 21 and India’s impressive 302-run win against Sri Lanka on November 2.
It is to be noted that the pitches at the ICC events are prepared under the supervision of Andy Atkinson (The governing body’s consultant), and it is learned that the agreement to use a fresh pitch in the Semi-final has been completely ignored.
The used pitch is believed to assist India’s spinners as they aim to reach the World Cup final since 2011.
Reports from The Daily Mail suggest Atkinson’s frustration with changes to pre-agreed plans during the World Cup. In a leaked email, he questioned whether the pitch for the final in Ahmedabad would be the first ICC CWC final with a surface chosen and prepared according to team management or the home nation board’s preferences.
My story about India’s pitch switch ahead of today’s semi-final v NZ in Mumbai. It was supposed to be played on a fresh surface. Instead, it’s been moved to a pitch already used twice. ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson is not happy. Same could happen for the final. https://t.co/k5rrIjh3ZX
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) November 15, 2023
Should India reach the final in Ahmedabad, they will face either Australia or South Africa. Pat Cummins expressed confidence in the ICC’s oversight of the pitch process, noting that the tournament’s pitches have not posed any issues so far.
Notably, the 2019 ODI World Cup semi-finals in England featured fresh pitches, while the T20 World Cup semi-finals last year were contested on used pitches.
Both India and New Zealand teams closely inspected the Wankhede pitch on Tuesday evening before it was covered by groundstaff during India’s training session under floodlights.
