In a recent gathering of pitch curators in Mumbai, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a directive to prepare batting-friendly pitches across the venues for the ICC World Cup 2023. Andy Atkinson, ICC’s pitch consultant, conveyed this message, aiming to ensure the upcoming tournament witnesses captivating displays of batting prowess.
Atkinson firmly advised pitch curators against succumbing to external pressures regarding pitch preparation, including requests to alter grass cover for specific matches.
Historically, run rates in ICC World Cups have witnessed a significant increase. The run rate escalated from 5.03 in the 2011 World Cup to 5.65 in 2015 and further to 5.69 in the 2019 World Cup in England. In line with the trend of high-scoring encounters, the ICC’s desire is for pitches to be more favorable for batting, allowing for a dynamic flow of runs and heightened excitement among fans.
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The ODI World Cup 2023 is slated to begin on October 5 with an encounter between England and New Zealand at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. The tournament, spanning 45 days, will culminate with the final match on November 19.
Curators who attended the meeting revealed they were encouraged to provide pitches with a 60-40 balance in favor of batting. With surfaces tailored to support batters, spectators can anticipate multiple high-scoring contests.
To promote fair play and fielder participation, the ICC has restricted curators from excessively trimming grass on the outfield, which could lead to exceptionally fast ball travel and deter fielders from diving.
The ICC has mandated a minimum boundary size of 70 yards, with an upper limit of 80 yards, for all 12 venues selected to host the ICC World Cup 2023 matches.
For venues without sand-based outfields, arrangements have been advised to cover the entire ground in case of rain.