England captain Jos Buttler expressed concerns about the pitch conditions at Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, describing it as “poor.” The sandy and bare outfield at the scenic Himalayan ground has raised concerns during the World Cup. Afghanistan’s coach, Jonathan Trott, raised alarm bells after Mujeeb Ur Rehman injured his knee while fielding on the challenging surface during their match against Bangladesh. Buttler acknowledged the challenging conditions but emphasized the need for players to avoid injuries.
ICC Inspection Deems Pitch “Average”
Following Saturday’s match, the International Cricket Council (ICC) conducted an inspection of the Dharamsala pitch. While they labeled it as “average” but playable, Buttler expressed his hope that players from both teams would remain injury-free in the upcoming matches.
Jos Buttler confirmed that star player Ben Stokes would remain unavailable for England’s match against Bangladesh as he continues to recover from a hip injury. Stokes had missed England’s opening match, where they suffered a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand. Buttler clarified that the pitch conditions at Dharamsala did not influence the decision to keep Stokes out of the lineup.
Rangana Herath Encourages Aggressive Play
Bangladesh’s spin bowling coach, Rangana Herath, encouraged his team not to dwell on the pitch concerns but to give their best effort. Herath emphasized that limiting players’ abilities due to surface conditions would hinder their performance. Bangladesh began their World Cup campaign with a convincing six-wicket victory over Afghanistan, with spinners Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz playing pivotal roles.
Both England and Bangladesh have only played one match in the tournament, and Buttler remains confident in his team’s abilities. He believes there is ample opportunity for both sides to bounce back and deliver improved performances in the matches ahead.
As concerns over the Dharamsala pitch continue to linger, teams like England and Bangladesh must adapt and strategize to overcome the challenging conditions and secure victories in the World Cup.
