ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Sandy outfield raises concerns about future matches in Dharamsala

Jonathan Trott, Afghanistan’s head coach, feels Mujeeb Ur Rahman was fortunate to flee with no severe damage after his left knee went into the sandy Dharamsala outfield when he put in a dive throughout Afghanistan’s six-wicket defeat to Bangladesh on Saturday.

The grass on the outfield was patchy and mossy, and several other gamers on either side misplaced their footing within the deep. Mujeeb appeared to jar his knee whereas diving to cease a Shakib Al Hasan sweep, and Azmat Omarzai tumbled over when making an attempt to save lots of a boundary off what turned out to be the penultimate ball of the match.

India’s third Check towards Australia was moved from Dharamsala to Indore at brief discover earlier this yr following issues in regards to the situation of the outfield – which the BCCI blamed the “harsh winter circumstances within the area” for – whereas Indian media retailers reported final month that an ICC inspection workforce had recognized a fungal an infection on the floor.

Trott made clear that he didn’t blame Afghanistan’s heavy defeat on the situation of the outfield, and mentioned it was not his place to “make an evaluation” on whether or not the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Affiliation Stadium was match to host video games on the World Cup. However he mentioned that it had not helped the spectacle, and recommended that the ICC ought to have a look at the standard of outfields throughout the nation.

“In case you’ve acquired gamers uncertain of whether or not they can dive… we see the product of cricket all all over the world the place gamers are taught, inspired to enhance their fielding,” he mentioned. “And if you’ve acquired gamers frightened about getting injured… I imply, we’re fortunate Mujeeb hasn’t acquired a severe knee damage in direction of the top.

“Sure, he most likely should not have dived together with his knee. However we noticed the opposite night time [in Ahmedabad], Devon Conway from New Zealand early on as effectively, so it is one thing for them [the organisers] to take a look at. I am undoubtedly not placing any blame on that, however that is one thing to regulate for the longer term.”

Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who was named Participant of the Match for his 3 for 25 and 57 in 73, mentioned that the outfield had been on the sluggish aspect. “The outfield was a little bit heavy,” he mentioned. “The ball wasn’t travelling rather a lot. However you’ll be able to’t blame the outfield… it’s a must to carry out in each scenario.”

The state of the outfield can be a priority for each Bangladesh and England forward of their fixture on the identical venue on Tuesday. Either side can be cautious of the potential for shedding gamers to damage, notably so early within the competitors, whereas Jonny Bairstow and Reece Topley are among the many England gamers who’ve suffered freak accidents after slipping previously 18 months.

That mentioned, Dharamsala holds fond reminiscences for some England gamers – not least Liam Livingstone, who hit 94 off 48 balls in a slim IPL defeat for Punjab Kings on the floor earlier this yr, an innings that included 9 sixes.

“It is an unbelievable floor and an unbelievable place to bat if it is something prefer it was that day,” Livingstone mentioned on Saturday. “It is an excellent place to play cricket and it is all the time good to return someplace you have acquired good reminiscences. Hopefully it stands me in good stead.

“Situations right here ought to go well with us and the boys are actually excited. We need to recover from what occurred the opposite day [against New Zealand] and nearly go twice as onerous.”

The stadium is almost 1500 metres above sea degree. “Due to the altitude, the ball simply flies rather well,” Livingstone mentioned. “It makes you extra assured to tackle the boundaries: they don’t seem to be that huge right here anyway, and the altitude simply makes it higher with the ability we have got in our line-up. It definitely helps as a batter, standing there realizing you’ll be able to take the fielders on.”

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