In New York, a new stadium with a capacity of 34,000 will host the India-Pakistan match. So far, we know that the success of the Cricket World Cup heavily relies on India’s television viewership. The most anticipated match of the competition is the face-off between India and Pakistan. The chilly relations between the two neighbors outside the cricket pitch add an extra needle to the match. This is why the hosting of the World Cup is always in a corner of the world where India’s matches are prime time at home, and the India-Pakistan match is reserved for the stadium with the highest attendance.
All these considerations are once again being contemplated for the T20 World Cup scheduled to take place in the USA-West Indies in June. The challenge increases due to the geographical distance between the Indian subcontinent and America, along with the absence of cricket culture and basic infrastructure in America.
Out of the 55 matches in the World Cup, 41 will be played in the West Indies. However, all four league matches for India will be day games, with three of them being played at the pop-up stadium in New York.
“We are in New York because there is a large group of cricket fans there, and we are bringing some eagerly awaited cricket matches, including the much-anticipated match, to the city. We hope that the atmosphere will be fantastic for the World Cup,” said Chris Tetley, the tournament director of the ICC.
This is the most ambitious project of the ICC so far, aiming to tap into the lucrative sports market in America and benefit people of Indian origin. Tetley said, “Our global rights strategy highlights the importance of America. It is our third-largest market (after India and Britain). We have identified 30 million cricket fans here.”
He is optimistic that the New York Stadium (with a capacity of 34,000) will attract more spectators than any ground in Britain and more than Wankhede Stadium. However, this will be the first time in cricket that a temporary stadium, including the pitch, outfield, and seats for spectators, has been set up for an event and will be dismantled later.
Located 25 miles east of Manhattan in Nassau County, the current ground has a wet outfield. The old ground will be demolished, work will begin in February, and by May, a new outfield will be laid. Subsequently, a drop-in pitch will be installed, and a testing phase will take place in May, including warm-up matches for the tournament.
The first match of the World Cup in the USA will be played on June 3 between Sri Lanka and South Africa.
Tetley mentioned, “This is new for cricket. However, it happens every week in other sports. We are doing what the Ryder Cup did. Some equipment is coming from Las Vegas F1.”
The outfield is being distributed by the LandTek Group, known for constructing the Yankees’ field in Miami, where Lionel Messi now plays. Damian Haff, a well-known curator, is tasked with removing Adelaide Oval’s pitch. The grandstands used for the Las Vegas F1 Grand Prix are being rebuilt.
Will pop-up stadiums become more common in cricket afterward? “Possibly. It requires space and time, but it will show cricket what other sports do.”
Tournament Integrity:
The tournament will see the largest participation in any ICC tournament so far, with 20 teams. However, the system that will determine where teams play their Super Eight matches and the likelihood of them playing has raised questions about the integrity of the tournament.
The ICC defends this step, pinning it down for the convenience and comfort of fans and venues. “It’s simple logic. Planning needs to be made for the teams with the highest followings and hence a system that does not compromise the integrity of the competition, but tells us where a qualified team will play, is beneficial for everyone.”