South Africa won their first World Cup match against Sri Lanka at Eisenhower Park near New York. The pitch was not ideal for T20 cricket, making run-scoring difficult. Despite Sri Lanka choosing to bat first, they were bowled out for just 77 runs, with Anrich Nortje taking four wickets for seven runs. South Africa comfortably chased the target and won with 22 balls to spare, with Tristan Stubbs scoring 13 off 28 balls.
Criticism arose regarding the pitch, with former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis calling it “spicy” and former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan stating it was not suitable for T20 cricket. Broadcaster Harsha Bhogle also expressed doubts about the pitch’s 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, who organize the tournament, will be looking for improvements in 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.