The Nassau County Stadium in New York, as it looked with 60 days to go until the start of the T20 World Cup on 1 June
The pitches used in the United States at this summer's men's T20 World Cup will have had quite the journey when the first ball is bowled at the tournament – being transported over 14,000 miles.
They have come in by ship from Adelaide in Australia, via Florida, as organisers run a major global cricket tournament in the USA for the very first time.
Matches will be played at bespoke venues in New York, Texas and Florida.
The opening game between USA and Canada, and the biggest game of the group stages, India versus Pakistan, will both be played in the States.
There are 16 matches being played in the US, with the other 39 being held in the West Indies.
And getting the States ready for cricket is quite the undertaking, especially when it comes to preparing cricket pitches.
"Our aim is to produce pitches that have pace and consistent bounce, on which the players can play their shots," said Adelaide Oval pitch curator Damian Hough, who has been tasked with growing pitches in Australia and transporting them to the US.
"We want entertaining cricket, but there are challenges."
Work on the 10 drop-in pitches started at the beginning of October 2023 when they were initially planted in trays. Each pitch was split into two trays, with the end aim being the production of four match-ready pitches and six practice strips.
A clay-like soil, which is also used at baseball venues in the US, is being used together with a particular grass which is suited to warmer climates and resistant to rolling and heavy use.
The trays were transported in a shipping container on a boat from Adelaide to Florida in January. They have since grown in a warm climate – New York was enduring freezing temperatures at the time – prior to being taken by road to their eventual destination.
To limit the time they are on the back of a lorry, two drivers will be employed to drive each vehicle, limiting the need to stop for breaks.
It will then take Hough and his team 12 hours to bed the pitch in at the venues, some of which are being purpose built for the tournament.
"I have mixed feelings," said Hough, who is a guest on this week's Stumped podcast.
"I'm really excited, but I'm a bit anxious at the same time – there are still unknowns.
"This is a long process. What we do know is we've given it our best shot.
"We've thoroughly thought through every possible outcome and issue along the way and we're hoping that they're going to be some good cricket pitches."
Get cricket news sent straight to your phone
Liverpool agree £9.4m Slot deal with Feyenoord
Teenager Guler scores as Real Madrid close on title
Leicester promoted to Premier League after Leeds lose
The perfect mix of mirth, mystery and murder
From the minds behind Murder on the Blackpool Express and Dial M for Middlesbrough
A tenacious attorney uncovers a dark secret
While trying to expose the truth, he soon finds himself risking his future, his family and his own life
From daring landings to rescuing plane crash survivors
The List brings you nine nail-biting moments
Celebrate 40 golden years of snooker
Tales of tears, triumphs, occasional debauchery, laughter and top-class sport from The Crucible
Bairstow century leads Punjab to record T20 run-chase
'No need to change Europe Ryder Cup eligibility for LIV players'
Odegaard – Arsenal's quiet 'captain marvel'


Newey to leave Red Bull over Horner allegations
Klopp likes the way Slot's Feyenoord play football
'If pressure is a privilege, England are about to feel very lucky'
'Inter close to perfect Serie A title success'
'Korda producing excellence that should prompt wider acclaim'
Booing your own anthem – Hong Kong and a dilemma

'They will talk about this forever' – Coventry close to 'greatest story'
'Norris' performance confirms elevation to elite-level'

The controversial dress code at sport's biggest party
Join the BBC Sport WhatsApp channels
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.

source

Post Views: 27