T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 will be played on special drop-in cricket pitch in America
The upcoming T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 is poised to revolutionize the sport with the introduction of special drop-in cricket pitches for the first time in its history. Scheduled to start on June 2, 2024, in America, this landmark event promises to usher in a new era of cricketing excellence while fostering the game’s growth and success in the host nation.
Innovative Construction Process
What sets these drop-in pitches apart is their innovative installation process. Constructed off-site and transported to the venue, these pitches are meticulously prepared before being lifted onto the field using 30-ton trailers just hours before the match.
Taking approximately 12 hours to set up, these pitches boast dimensions of 24 meters in length, 3 meters in width, and 20 centimetres in thickness. Featuring a base of black soil topped with a grass surface, they resemble a layered cake encased in a sturdy steel frame. Once installed on a cement slab, these pitches offer a level playing surface devoid of the cracks typically associated with traditional pitches.
The Legacy of Drop-In Pitches in Cricket Stadiums Worldwide
The concept of drop-in pitches was originally pioneered by WACA curator John Mail for the World Series Cricket in the 1970s. Since then, they have garnered widespread popularity and can now be found in various stadiums worldwide, including Eden Park in Auckland, Westpac Stadium in Wellington, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and Adelaide Oval in Australia.
The decision to introduce drop-in pitches for the T20 Cricket World Cup in America is particularly noteworthy given the country’s limited cricket infrastructure. By repurposing existing sports grounds used for rugby, hockey, and football, these portable pitches facilitate the transformation of ordinary venues into cricket-ready grounds, thereby enabling the hosting of international cricket events in non-traditional cricket-playing nations.
With the stage set for a historic tournament, cricket enthusiasts around the globe eagerly anticipate witnessing the thrilling matches that lie ahead on these groundbreaking drop-in pitches. As the countdown to the T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 begins, all eyes are on America as it prepares to showcase its passion for cricket on the world stage.