South Africa made history by winning their first World Cup match against Sri Lanka at Eisenhower Park near New York. Despite the pitch not being ideal for T20 cricket, making run-scoring difficult, Sri Lanka chose to bat first and were bowled out for just 77 runs. Anrich Nortje took four wickets for seven runs, making it even more challenging for Sri Lanka. However, South Africa comfortably chased the target and won with 22 balls to spare, with Tristan Stubbs scoring 13 off 28 balls.
The pitch was heavily criticized after the match, with former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis calling it “spicy.” Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan also expressed his doubts about its suitability for T20 cricket. Broadcaster Harsha Bhogle also expressed concerns about its compatibility with the game. The production of the pitch was overseen by renowned groundsman Damian Hough, but concerns remained about its quality for strokeplay.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), who organize the tournament, will be looking to improve the pitch conditions before the next match between India and Pakistan on Sunday. It is hoped that the pitch will be more conducive to exciting cricket and provide a better experience for players and fans alike.
