'Semi Should be Played on a...': Vaughan, Lehmann React After Pitch Switch Controversy Ahead of World Cup Semi-final

Hours before the toss for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final between India and New Zealand in Mumbai, media reports have emerged claiming the hosts have made a last-minute switch to a slow, used pitch for the knockout match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today.

The Indian team management has been accused of ‘micro-managing’ pitches throughout the competition allegedly to suit their bowling attack.

According to The Indian Express, the Wankhede curator was told about the team’s preference for a slow pitch following the conclusion of India’s final league match of the competition against the Netherlands in Bengaluru.

The daily further quoted a Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) official as saying that the grass from the pitch has been removed following the request.

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Reacting to the reports, former England captain Michael Vaughan has said the semi-final should always be played on a fresh pitch.

“A World Cup semi should be played on a fresh pitch .. It’s as simple as that ..” Vaughan posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Former Australia cricketer and head coach Darren Lehmann said it shouldn’t even be a question whether a fresh pitch is used for ICC events.

“Fresh pitch for ICC events a must . Not even a question , just should happen,” Lehmann posted on X.

Meanwhile, The Daily Mail, citing an email from ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson, has reported that the pitch for the world cup final could also be similarly slow should India qualify for the title clash.

“As a result of these actions, one must speculate if this will be the first ever ICC CWC (World Cup) final to have a pitch which has been specifically chosen and prepared to their stipulation at the request of the team management and/or the hierarchy of the home nation board,” Atkinson wrote in an email published by the daily.

India qualified for the last-four stage on the back of a dominating show in the league stage of the competition. They stormed to nine wins in a row to top the points table while New Zealand had to fight hard to finish fourth and set up the semi-final clash with the former two-time champions.