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South Africa Tests Exchangeable Pitches Ahead of 2027 World Cup
South Africa is preparing special cricket pitches for the 2027 World Cup.
Five stadiums plan to use a system that lets workers move pitches around.
The pitches are grown in trays inside the stadium instead of being lifted in by cranes from somewhere else.
This could help prevent the same central pitches from being used too often.
The pitches can become worn because many matches are played on them.
Some people worry that moving the pitches could make South African cricket grounds less distinctive.
South African pitches are known for bounce and movement that can help fast bowlers.
The consultants say each ground will still use its own soil, grass and construction methods.
The system will first be tested in domestic cricket before it is considered for major international matches.
Five of South Africa’s eight planned World Cup venues are preparing an Exchangeable Pitch System (EPS).
The system uses pitches built in trays inside the ground and moved with a hovercraft-style platform, rather than cranes.
Curators want to reduce wear because about 80% of matches use the central pitches and cricket schedules have expanded.
Wanderers has already used EPS, while four other venues have installed it but have not yet used it.
Critics fear the system could reduce South Africa’s traditional bounce and seam movement, but consultants say venue-specific soil and grass can preserve local characteristics.
- Who
- Cricket South Africa, South African pitch curators and consultants, and venues including Wanderers, Newlands, St George’s Park, Kingsmead and Boland Park.
- What
- South Africa is introducing an Exchangeable Pitch System to rotate and preserve cricket pitches ahead of the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
- Where
- At five South African venues: Wanderers, Newlands, St George’s Park, Kingsmead and Boland Park.
- When
- The system is being prepared for the 2027 World Cup; Wanderers used it in a match in February, and further domestic testing is planned this season.
- Why
- To reduce deterioration caused by heavy use of central pitches, while retaining fresh playing surfaces for the World Cup.
Supporters and consultants
Sceptics and critics
Preserving pitch quality
Supporters and consultants
Curators say rotating pitches will spread the workload, keep surfaces fresh and reduce deterioration caused by increased cricket activity.
Sceptics and critics
Critics may question whether a new system can reproduce the established conditions of South African pitches in major matches.
Home advantage
Supporters and consultants
Consultants say each venue’s own soil, grass and construction methods will preserve differences between grounds. They also say the system’s extra moisture could help pitches resemble the originals.
Sceptics and critics
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad has feared the team could lose home advantage, particularly because South African pitches are known for bounce and seam movement.
Readiness for major matches
Supporters and consultants
Officials see the World Cup as a reason to develop the system and plan to gain experience through domestic cricket.
Sceptics and critics
Officials and consultants acknowledge that the pitches are not yet ready for Test matches or World Cup games because they need more domestic testing.
Key facts
- World Cup
- The 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- South African venues
- Eight South African venues are scheduled to host World Cup matches; five are preparing EPS.
- System design
- Pitches are constructed in trays inside the ground and moved using a hovercraft-style system with pontoons.
- Pitch usage
- Around 80% of matches are played on the middle one to four pitches because broadcasters prefer those locations.
- Installed venues
- Wanderers has implemented EPS; Newlands, St George’s Park, Kingsmead and Boland Park have installed it but have not yet used it.
- Testing plan
- The pitches are expected to be used for domestic cricket before being considered for Test or World Cup matches.
- Test pitches
- The two centre pitches normally used for Tests and international cricket are intended to remain in place.
Quotes
Hilbert Smit
Pitch consultant and member of Cricket South Africa’s Project 2027 team
“So they are constructed in a tray, which is similar to the drop-in. The difference with the drop-in is obviously that the drop-in is picked up with a crane, lifted out of the ground and taken out to the nursery. Ours are done on a hovercraft system.”
indianexpress.com
“In recent years, the capacity of each venue has increased because of the number of cricket that is being played. So by rotating these pitches, we can keep them fresh.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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