‘Extraordinary’: T20 World Cup semi-finals played on used pitches

Cricket fans were baffled to discover that both T20 World Cup semi-finals would be played on used pitches in Sydney and Adelaide.

The International Cricket Council has defended the “extraordinary” decision for this week’s T20 World Cup semi-finals to be played on used pitches.

As first reported by The Cricketer, the second semi-final between England and India will be contested on an Adelaide Oval deck that has already been used twice in the tournament.

Last week’s Super 12 matches between Australia vs Afghanistan and Ireland vs New Zealand were played on the same pitch, making it 80 overs old.

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England reportedly only found out they were playing on a used wicket when the squad arrived at Adelaide Oval for training on Tuesday.

Traditionally, used pitches are expected to be quite dry, providing grip for the spinners and encouraging cutters from seam bowlers.

However, The Age’s Daniel Brettig tweeted: “Funnily enough, the older or more ‘used’ an Adelaide Oval drop-in pitch is, the less it tends to spin. The spin on the surface these days actually comes from thatchy live grass coverage rather than much wear and tear. Ask any local player.”

Extraordinary to hear that England's World Cup semi-final against India at the Adelaide Oval is going to be played on a used pitch. This is supposed to be a global tournament. Can't even prepare a fresh one for a big game like this....

— Paul Newman (@Paul_NewmanDM) November 8, 2022

Used pitch for Adelaide on Thursday. Will that favour England with 3 spinners or India? Surprised it's not a fresh deck for a World Cup semi final. #T20WorldCup

— Dan Whiting (@TheMiddleStump) November 8, 2022

So a used pitch for the SF between ENG and India.

Toss, toss, toss... oh, toss, toss.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) November 8, 2022

Previously, former England captain Eoin Morgan complained about playing the 2017 Champions Trophy semi-final against Pakistan on a used pitch in Cardiff.

“The ICC does not have a rule about the use of fresh-only or used pitches for any match in an ICC event,” the ICC said in a statement.

“Our requirement is for the best possible playing surface for every match. It does not necessarily follow that a ‘new’ pitch will be better than one that may have been previously used.

“Decisions are based on a number of considerations, including the rotation of pitches curated for a tournament and the management of the available playing surfaces.”

India’s Super 12 match against Bangladesh took place at Adelaide Oval, while England’s T20 side has not played in the South Australian capital since January 2011.

Adelaide Oval features short square boundaries, meaning England will need to reassess the short-ball strategy it employed at Perth Stadium and the Gabba.

“We’ll have to wait and see what the wicket does on Thursday, I guess,” England all-rounder Ben Stokes said.

“It’s about assessing and adapting to whatever situation you have in front of you.

“But we’ve been playing on big, square boundaries and looking to try and get the batters to hit to them, whereas here we’re probably going to have to look to change our tactics.”

The English players have a team meeting at Adelaide Oval. Photo by Sarah Reed/Getty Images

Wednesday evening’s semi-final between New Zealand and Pakistan was also played on a used pitch at the SCG, with last month’s Super 12 opener between the Kiwis and host nation Australia being contested on the same deck.

“It was challenging,” Black Caps batter Daryl Mitchell told reporters after the seven-wicket defeat.

“It definitely was a little bit lower and slower than what we probably thought Australian conditions would be like.”

The must-win semi-final between India and England gets underway at Adelaide Oval on Thursday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7pm AEDT.