Inside amazing 14,000-mile journey that pitches for huge sporting event are taking with some venues in race against time
THIS summer’s T20 Cricket World Cup will have the unusual distinction of being played on pitches that have travelled from around the globe.
The United States and the West Indies are hosting the ninth edition of the tournament which starts on June 1.
England Cricket fixtures summer 2024
Test
West Indies
First Test – July 10-14
Second Test – July 18-22
Third Test – July 26-30
Sri Lanka
First Test – August 21-25
Second Test – August 29 – September 2
Third Test – September 6-10
ODI
Australia – September 19, 21, 24, 27, 19
T20
Pakistan – May 22, 25, 28, 30
Australia – September 11, 13, 15
T20 World Cup
Scotland – June 4
Australia – June 8
Oman – June 13
Namibia – June 15
But some of the grounds that will be used for it face a race against time to be ready.
One example is the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, which is still under construction just 37 days before the tournament is due to begin and has even used stands from F1‘s Las Vegas Grand Prix.
To help the USA get prepared for the games it will host, they have arranged to import cricket pitches to them all the way in Australia.
There are ten pitches that will have travelled an astonishing 14,000 miles by ship from Adelaide, Australia to be played on in the USA.
The preparation work for this began all the way back in October 2023, when the pitches were initially planted in trays.
Each tray was then split into two with the goal of the production being four match-ready pitches with six practice strips.
These trays were then loaded onto a boat and transported to Florida in January.
The turf used combines a clay-like soil seen at baseball venues in the USA with a type of grass which is suited to warm weather climates and resistant to rolling and heavy use.
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And while in the sunshine state the turf has grown before it is taken to the respective venues including New York, Texas and Florida.
Speaking about the pitches, Adelaide Oval pitch curator Damian Hough told BBC Sport: “Our aim is to produce pitches that have pace and consistent bounce, on which the players can play their shots.
“We want entertaining cricket, but there are challenges.”
To limit the transport time during the trip to the stadiums two drivers will be employed in each vehicle to limit the need for breaks.
The pitch will then take 12 hours to bed in.
Hough added: “I’m really excited, but I’m a bit anxious at the same time – there are still unknowns. This is a long process. What we do know is we’ve given it our best shot.
“We’ve thoroughly thought through every possible outcome and issue along the way and we’re hoping that they’re going to be some good cricket pitches.”
Both the opening game between USA and Canada and the biggest match of the group stages – India vs Pakistan – will be played in the States.
In total the USA will host 16 World Cup matches, with the other 39 including the final being held in the West Indies.