By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
Unplayable Conditions at Brian Lara Cricket Academy
The T20 World Cup semi final between South Africa and Afghanistan at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad faced sharp criticism from Test Match Special pundits Steven Finn and Alex Hartley due to the poor quality of the pitch. Afghanistan, playing in their first World Cup semi final, struggled immensely on a pitch with erratic bounce and lateral movement, resulting in their lowest ever T20 total of 56. South Africa chased down the target in 8.5 overs, losing only one wicket, but not without several uneasy moments.
Steven Finn, a former England seamer, described the pitch as "ugly" and unsuitable for a T20 game, noting that it deteriorated significantly, leading to a disappointing spectacle. England World Cup winner Alex Hartley echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the pitch rendered batting nearly impossible and created a highly uneven contest. Hartley labeled the pitch a "shambles," stating that it eliminated any chance for an even contest between bat and ball.
Significant Lateral Movement and Uneven Bounce
Cricviz data highlighted the challenging nature of the pitch, revealing considerable lateral movement for fast bowlers. The pitch at Brian Lara Cricket Academy ranked fourth for seam movement and was the top venue for swing and seam offered to pace bowlers throughout the tournament. Additionally, it was the second best pitch for turn for spinners. An over from Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai illustrated the inconsistency, with deliveries ranging from ankle height to rearing up sharply.
Finn further elaborated on the difficulties faced by South African batters during their innings, noting their inability to predict the bounce of the ball. This unpredictability made the contest fascinating yet uneven. Commentator Geoff Lemon suggested that in a longer format match, such a pitch might have led to the game's abandonment.
Despite the adverse conditions, South Africa captain Aiden Markram expressed excitement about reaching their first World Cup final. He acknowledged the tough batting conditions but focused on the opportunity ahead. Markram emphasized the team's enthusiasm and determination to seize this unprecedented chance, downplaying external pressures in favor of a simple, focused approach.
While the semi final pitch drew severe criticism for its inadequacy, South Africa's progression to their first final provided a silver lining. The Proteas now look forward to their historic opportunity to compete for the T20 World Cup title.