Ten cricket pitches, known as “drop-in pitches,” have made a journey along the East Coast of the United States from Florida to New York State.
Supervised by Australian curator Damian Hough, who oversees Adelaide Oval, these pitches were carefully prepared in Florida before being transported on a 24-hour journey via a convoy of 20 trailer trucks to Long Island.
Despite winter conditions in New York, the grass had to be nurtured in Florida’s warmer climate beforehand.
The meticulous journey included regular stops for checks and maintenance.
Hough expressed satisfaction with the pitches, noting their exceptional performance.
Chris Tetley, head of events for the ICC, highlighted the logistical challenge of moving the pitches across states and managing permissions.
The temporary stadium at Eisenhower Park, with a capacity of 34,000, has been constructed, complete with stands and facilities for T20 cricket.
The pitches are designed to facilitate aggressive batting, with minimal spin or seam.
Test events will precede the inaugural World Cup game between Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3.
The venue will have a legacy of world-class facilities benefiting the cricketing community, despite cricket’s niche status in the US.
