Sport Reporter
With the T20 World Cup set to kick off next week, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly placed the pitch preparation process in Sri Lanka under strict surveillance. The move comes following allegations of external pressure being exerted on local groundstaff to influence the nature of the tracks.
The global cricket governing body is focusing its attention on three primary venues: the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC), and the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Allegations of Undue Influence
According to emerging reports, the ICC’s heightened vigilance is a response to claims that various parties have been attempting to interfere with the work of neutral curators. Sources suggest that much of this pressure is originating from coaching staff seeking to secure a tactical “home advantage.”
Such interference creates an environment of “unnecessary pressure” for curators, who are mandated by the ICC to produce balanced, high-quality surfaces that do not unfairly favor the host nation.
A History of “Rank Turners” and Tactical Adaptation
Sri Lanka’s pitches have long been a subject of international debate. Historically, the island nation has been known for producing “rank turners”—pitches specifically designed to favor spin bowling. This has often led to friction with visiting teams:
- Foreign Strategies – In recent years, powerhouses like England and Australia have gone to extreme lengths to prepare for Sri Lankan conditions, often creating “dusty” practice wickets back home or arriving weeks early to acclimatize to the low-bounce, high-turn environment.
- ICC Sanctions – The scrutiny is not without precedent. In the past, venues like Galle and the Premadasa have occasionally received “below average” ratings from ICC match referees, forcing Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to defend its curation standards against accusations of tailoring wickets for specific results.
Ensuring a “Sporting” Level Playing Field
Under ICC tournament regulations, pitch preparation must be overseen by an ICC-appointed Pitch Expert. The goal is to produce “sporting wickets”—surfaces that provide a fair contest between bat and ball and remain consistent for all participating teams.
As the tournament approaches, the ICC is expected to take full oversight of the final preparation phases to ensure that the integrity of the world event is not compromised by local tactical interests.