Former England captain bashes T20 World Cup 2024 organisers for 'sub-standard' and 'unacceptable' New York pitch

With short dimensions of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, batters were expected to dominate the proceedings. However, the drop-in pitches have favoured the bowlers so far. Early into the tournament, there have been a few low-scoring affairs. Many have questioned if this is the much-needed advertisement of cricket in the USA. Former England captain Michael Vaughan on June 5 termed the pitch ‘sub-standard’ and ‘unacceptable’ after India bowled out Ireland for 96 in 16 overs. 
 

“Trying to sell the game in the states is great.. love it.. but for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable…You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this,” Vaughan wrote on his X handle.

In another post, he wrote “shocking pitch”.

Bumrah happy with pitch conditions

India's pace-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah conceded just six runs, bowled one maiden in three overs and bagged two wickets. He was adjudged 'Player of the match' for an exceptional display. Bumrah was happy with the pitch conditions in New York. 
 

“Coming from India, with the ball seaming around, I wouldn't complain when there's help for bowlers. In this format you have to adapt to the conditions, you have to be proactive. Trying to stick to the plans and trying to go back to what has worked for me. You always want to cover all the bases in these conditions. You got to be prepared, very happy with the outing today,” he said in the post-match presentation. 

 

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma becomes first ever batter in international cricket to achieve this feat, surpasses Babar Azam too with 37-ball 52
 

Nortje feels T20 isn’t all about sixes

Earlier, South Africa pacer Anrich Nortje bagged four wickets and conceded just seven runs in his four overs against Sri Lanka to bowl them out for 77. Nortje was asked about whether the pitch was the perfect advertisement for the entertainment it offers in the format. 
 

"I thought the game was great," Nortje responded. "I thought the entertainment was there. I thought the people were there. It was a brilliant spectacle. It was brilliant to see everyone, to hear the voices, the noise, the cheering. I thought it was a great day for cricket.

 

ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma provides update on his injury that made him leave the field retired hurt against Ireland
 

"It doesn't always mean, correct me if I'm wrong, there needs to be 20 sixes in a game to make it entertaining. There's still a lot of strategy that goes into the game. There's a lot of skill that goes into the game, whether it's sixes or fast bowlers or spinners, however it might be. So, I thought the game was a brilliant game. It was still a close game at the end of the day, another wicket or two, and things might have been different. We might have been in a little bit more trouble.”
 

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