For the first time, the USA is hosting the T20 Men’s World Cup with the West Indies and drop-in pitches have become talk of town with the India vs Pakistan match being played on one of such tracks today. The US, where cricket is being introduced in a big way with this tournament, does not have traditional cricket pitches but the ICC has pulled out its best game to overcome the problem with drop-in pitches.

The Nassau County International Stadium in New York is a newly-built stadium that recently hosted India vs Ireland with Men in Blue winning by 8 wickets.

Witnessing only three T20I matches in total at the Nassau Stadium, the field has reportedly favoured bowling. In the United States, where cricket stadiums are limited, drop-in pitches are commonly used.

A drop-in pitch is a surface prepared away from the venue and then installed for a match. This method, dating back to the 1970s, was first utilised by Western Australia Cricket Association curator John Maley for the World Series Cricket matches initiated by Kerry Packer.

Creating drop-in pitches involves placing them in steel frames. Curators have the flexibility to tailor these pitches according to specific requirements, using a precise mix of soil, grass, and clay. However, preparing these pitches takes several years, requiring meticulous care to ensure longevity for multiple seasons before they deteriorate.

Despite their benefits, drop-in pitches often face criticism for being too flat and lacking the natural characteristics of traditional pitches, which can affect the quality of the game.

However, following its protocol, the ICC dispatched an expert team to conduct thorough due diligence at all venues, assessing the ground, pitches, and practice facilities before granting international status. Although there was no formal announcement regarding the New York venue’s international status, the ICC officially launched the stadium for the World Cup on May 15.

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