ESPNcricinfo understands that the semi-final was initially supposed to be played on Court 7, the central strip of the Wankhede Stadium block. Pitch 7 is a new surface that was not used in the league phase of the World Cup.
The change represents a late departure from the stadium customization that was designed before the World Cup. A source told ESPNcricinfo: “6-8-6-8-7 was the planned rotation at Wankhede. 6-8-6-8 is what has been used so far.”
According to the ICC’s World Cup Playing Conditions, the relevant “ground authority” is “responsible for selecting and preparing the pitch” before any match – in this case, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The ICC also has an independent stadium consultant, Andy Atkinson, who works alongside local staff.
the daily Mail He reported that Atkinson had become frustrated with changes to previously agreed plans throughout the World Cup, and that he speculated in a leaked email whether the pitch for the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday “would be the first ever ICC CWC final to have a chosen pitch.” And specially prepared according to its terms at the request of the team management and/or the parent country’s board hierarchy.”
There is no ICC requirement that knockout matches must be played at new stadiums. The only condition in the stadium and stadium control process states: “The venues designated with responsibility for hosting a match are expected to provide the best possible stadium and stadium conditions for that match.”
The semi-final of the 2019 ODI World Cup, played in England four years ago, was played on new grounds at Old Trafford and Edgbaston. But last year, two T20 World Cup semi-finals were played on used grounds: one at Adelaide Oval, the other at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
India and New Zealand players inspected the pitch at Wankhede from close quarters on Tuesday evening before it was covered by the ground crew early during India’s training session under floodlights.
