The controversial late pitch switch played perfectly for hosts India as they beat New Zealand to advance to Sunday’s final of the Cricket World Cup.
Pitch 7 was originally intended for the clash, but before the game began, a decision was taken to switch to Pitch 6, which had already staged two games during the tournament.
During the game, Virat Kohli moved clear of Sachin Tendulkar when he scored his 50th ODI century, while Mohammed Shami finished with figures of 7/57, the best ever ODI figures in India’s history.
In the end, India were able to win the game by 71 runs despite a stubborn century by Daryl Mitchell.
According to reports, ICC’s independent pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson was not happy about the late change in a leaked email.
In the mail, he alleged that the pitch that will be used in Ahmedabad for the final on Sunday “will be the first ever ICC CWC 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.”
IOL Sport