Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday, labeling it a “sub-standard surface.” This pitch is being used for the T20 World Cup match between India and Ireland. With plenty of bounce and seam, it enabled Indian bowlers Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh to bowl out Ireland for a mere 96 runs.

Former cricketers slam pitches in USA

“Trying to sell the game in the States is great.. love it.. but for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable… You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this,” Vaughan posted on his X handle.

Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Wasim Jaffer also reacted to the pitch being used in the United States. Wasim Jaffer took a jibe saying that “This is an excellent pitch in New York. Provided the idea was to get the American audience hooked on to Test cricket disguised as T20.”

Netizens are also trolling the pitches in the USA by comparing them to baseball fields.

In fact, this was the second match in a row in New York a team was bowled out for a total less than 100.

On June 3, South Africa had fired out Sri Lanka for 77 en route their six-wicket victory.

The drop-in deck at the venue has been giving excess assistance to the pacers as South Africa’s Anrich Nortje had grabbed four wickets, conceding a mere seven runs from his full quota of four overs, against the Lankans.

India will also play their next two matches at this venue -- against Pakistan on June 9 and against co-hosts USA on June 12. 

(With PTI inputs)