A controversy had erupted before the match as some reports claimed that the match would be played on a used pitch instead of a fresh one earmarked for the semis earlier.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Some reports claimed that the BCCI through the local curator had changed the pitch -- on a suggestion from the Indian team management -- to one on which two matches have already been played.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The pitch turned out to be dry and slow, suiting the Indian batters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
However, the ICC has clarified that it was aware of the change in the pitch and its independent pitch consultant had no reason to believe that the pitch won\u2019t play well.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"Changes to planned pitch rotations are common towards the end of an event of this length and has already happened a couple of times. This change was made on the recommendation of the venue curator in conjunction with our host,\" an ICC spokesman said in a statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"The ICC independent pitch consultant was apprised of the change and has no reason to believe the pitch won\u2019t play well,\" the ICC added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The BCCI has also clarified that the pitch change was carried out due to a technical issue with the fresh one earmarked for the semifinal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The ICC rules do not specify that knockout matches have to be played only on fresh pitches. According to the ICC\u2019s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, \"it is expected that the venues that are allocated the responsibility of hosting the match will present the best possible pitch and the outfield.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2023\/11\/mens-odi-wc-icc-dismisses-controversy-justifies-pitch-change-for-india-nz-semifinal.jpg", "alt_img": "Men's ODI WC: ICC dismisses controversy, justifies pitch change for India-NZ semifinal", "alt_title": "Mumbai: ICC Men's Cricket World Cup first semifinal match between India and New Zealand", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "Men's ODI WC: ICC Dismisses Controversy, Justifies Pitch Change For India-NZ Semifinal On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "Men's ODI WC: ICC Dismisses Controversy, Justifies Pitch Change For India-NZ Semifinal, The International Cricket Council: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has justified the change of the pitch for the Men's ODI.", "seo_keywords": "The International Cricket Council, ODI World Cup, New Zealand, Wankhede Stadium, The ICC, The BCCI, Outfield Monitoring Process", "tag": "", "tagging": "The International Cricket Council, ODI World Cup, New Zealand, Wankhede Stadium, The ICC, The BCCI, Outfield Monitoring Process", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "mens-odi-wc-icc-dismisses-controversy-justifies-pitch-change-for-india-nz-semifinal", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "972", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2023-11-15 17:30:05", "updated": "2023-11-15 17:30:05", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "The International Cricket Council, ODI World Cup, New Zealand, Wankhede Stadium, The ICC, The BCCI, Outfield Monitoring Process", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2023-11-15 17:30:05", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/mens-odi-wc-icc-dismisses-controversy-justifies-pitch-change-for-india-nz-semifinal-132335" }