What’s next for the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium and its challenging pitches? Well, the Pop-Up Stadium, erected in a mere 106 days, is on the clock to be disassembled, a task expected to take around six weeks, with work commencing right after the India-USA match concluded on Wednesday afternoon.
Eisenhower Park, once fortified for the games and fans, will return to its original form, offering free public access to its muddy, grassy, and dusty grounds.
Entry, previously monitored closely, will now be unrestricted.
As for the pitches, their destiny remains uncertain.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) leaves the decision to the Nassau County authorities.
“If they wish to maintain them with the necessary upkeep, they may,” stated an ICC official.
Alternatively, the ICC will relocate the drop-in pitches, crafted in Florida with expertise from South Australia, to where they’re needed.
The outfield, however, will stay put.
While there were talks of hosting Major League Cricket (MLC) games at the stadium, MLC authorities and franchises weren’t keen.
Though a full-fledged cricket stadium might arise elsewhere in the future, its likelihood here seems slim.
Notably, New York serves as the base for the Mumbai Indians team (MI NY) in the MLC, with expectations of the Ambanis constructing a new stadium soon.
Easy to chase or defend?
The pitches, buzzed about in the cricket world, have left enthusiasts pondering whether they favor batting first or chasing.
India successfully defended a modest 119 against Pakistan on June 9, while South Africa fended off Bangladesh’s challenge with a total of 113.
Pakistan, however, comfortably chased a target of 107.
On Wednesday, India struggled until Surya Kumar Yadav and Shivam Dube secured a win for Rohit Sharma’s side, chasing 111.
Of the eight games at the ground, teams batting first won thrice, while chasing teams triumphed five times.
The average first-innings total was 108, with India’s successful chase against the USA marking the highest chase.
Canada posted the highest first-innings total, 137 for seven against Ireland, defending it successfully.
When questioned about pitch conditions, Arshdeep Singh remained non-committal, but Dube hinted a preference for chasing, aligning with Sharma’s decision to field first against the USA.
Was the 5-run penalty fair?
The significant discussion revolved around the five-run penalty imposed on the USA team.
India gained these runs after the bowling side failed to commence their over within the one-minute interval for the third time.
Despite ample warnings, the ‘stop clock’ rule, implemented in international white-ball cricket in December last year, penalized the home team.
For every breach post-second warning, five runs were docked.
At 76 for three by the end of the 15th over, India needed 35 runs in the last five overs.
The penalty revised the target to a required rate of precisely six runs per over in the final five.
A similar scenario against Pakistan saw India narrowly escaping the penalty.
The sanctions sparked a debate on their appropriateness and whether the emphasis on rapid game completion affected the contest’s quality.
The USA team denied it affected their loss.
“I think there needs to be a pace of play.
I think if you’re dragging games out that should last three and a half hours, they’re going for four and a half hours, that’s a bit much.
The ICC are there to install rules and regulations.
We as coaches and teams are there to follow those rules.
If there’s enough voices saying that it may be detracting from the game, I’m sure the ICC will act on it.
I don’t see it as a bad thing,” said Stuart Law, the coach of the USA.
“The game continues to move.
When momentum is with you, you want to keep that momentum running quicker and put the opposition under pressure that way.
So, it’s neither here nor there.
It didn’t affect the result of the game, I don’t think, as many people will suggest.
But to lose five runs was crucial at that time.
But, once again, it may have just taken us to the 19th or 20th over, rather than finishing in the 18th (19th),” the Australian further said.
Noteworthy is how the cricket world would have reacted if India, winning by six runs, faced the penalty against Pakistan.
Or imagine if the World Cup winner was decided by such a penalty on June 29 in Bridgetown, Barbados.
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