Batters May Need to Temper Expectations in T20 World Cup 2024
Cricket fans may need to brace for a departure from the free-scoring displays seen in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, according to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 set to be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies, Ponting believes pitches in these regions may not be as conducive to 200-plus totals that have become the norm in the IPL.
“240 was a total you were aiming to get in the IPL. It’s probably not going to be that for the first part of the tournament here in New York,” Ponting told ESPNcricinfo on Tuesday. The veteran commentator cited the day-night conditions and drop-in pitches at the new Nassau County International Cricket Stadium as potential factors that could challenge batters.
South Africa’s recent six-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the venue provided the first glimpse of the pitch’s nature, with the ball reportedly swinging and seaming considerably. Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen acknowledged the need for a blend of Test and ODI skills to navigate the inconsistent bounce and movement.
India captain Rohit Sharma echoed similar sentiments, stating, “Certainly, it doesn’t look like a place where you can score easily. So, we’ve got to be a little mindful of that and see what best we can do.”
As the tournament progresses, Ponting expects the pitches in the West Indies to potentially slow down, favoring spin bowling in the latter stages. However, he remains confident that teams will find ways to post challenging totals as they adapt to the conditions.
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