Watch: T20 World Cup 2024: What went wrong at the US matches
In this video, we analyze the group matches of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA for the first time. However, we will only focus on the USA’s league matches.
After several high-scoring matches in the recently concluded IPL, it was expected that the T20 World Cup would start with a bang.
When the ICC awarded the rights to host the tournament, it was clear that they were interested in developing cricket in the USA. But things turned out differently than expected. The matches played in the USA were mostly low scoring. Some matches were well defended, others remained exciting until the end.
In the group stage, only three teams got over 200 and all of them were West Indies. In the USA round, the highest score achieved in New York was just 137. In some matches, scores of 116 and 120 were well defended due to uneven bounce, making it very difficult for the batsmen to settle.
The drop-in pitches from Adelaide, Australia, made it difficult for the batsmen to score freely and the bowlers dominated the proceedings.
Some teams were knocked out with less than 100 points, but even those points were recovered with difficulty. The India-Pakistan match was another match with so few points that India defended only 119 points.
The ICC took a big risk by not testing the pitches and conditions sufficiently before a major tournament like the T20 World Cup. The pitches should be prepared in a way that allows for a duel between bat and ball.
And some grounds, like the one in Florida, were not rainproof and matches like the one between India and Canada were abandoned without a ball being bowled. Some international grounds, like the one in Sri Lanka, have enough roofs to protect the entire outfield. Unfortunately, due to poor drainage and the lack of such facilities, grounds staff were unable to get the ground ready for play. Believe it or not, we are talking about the USA here.
The idea of ​​promoting cricket is good, but the ICC should realise that such basic amenities are necessary to keep the game going. While cricket fans in the US were able to watch their favourite stars, the quality of cricket was a huge disappointment for cricket fans.
Screenplay and Voiceover: N. Kesavan
Production: Shiva Raj