What a waste of money!

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, where India and Pakistan will clash in the T20 WC game on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images

Here in USA, not many know that there's a cricket World Cup going on. USA is simply not interested in cricket. It's only the expats from the Commonwealth countries who follow the game. The desire to bring the game into the USA has been there for decades. The summer here is just the right time to play the sport as it doesn't clash with the home season of any of the countries in the Southern hemisphere. The feeling that there's heaps of money to be made is prevalent, but the fact remains that it's only the IPL franchises who can bring in part of the moolah they make in the IPL to the USA.

There could be some local sponsor and team owner, but they will be predominantly from the expat community. So the Major League Cricket (MLC) will grow for sure as can be seen by the number of top international players signing up and forsaking that format called The Hundred. However, despite USA's sensational win over Pakistan, it will be a big surprise if the average American will take to cricket.

The ICC has spent around 35 million USD, if reports are true, on building the stadium in New York. It is a splendid facility for sure, but sadly, like most modern stadia, does not have a roof over the stands to protect the average fan from being burnt to toast under the hot sun. Then, having spent such a huge amount, the stadium is going to be dismantled after the tournament is over. What a waste of good money which could have been given to some Associate nations, particularly those who do well in this World Cup. That would have been a great incentive to these nations to put it across the more established full member nation teams.

Fans must see plenty of sixes

While the stadium at New York is a lovely facility, the pitch is another story altogether. It's a surface that makes even the best batters in the world look confused. The extra bounce, almost like on an Astro turf, is positively dangerous to physical safety. There's simply too much grass left on the surface and when the ball lands there, it can cut any which way and bounce awkwardly too. When it hits the bare patches, then it keeps a bit low so batting is not easy at all. If the game has to catch on, then the crowds must get to see more sixers or home runs as a six is called in baseball. That can't happen on surfaces like this one.

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Good luck, batters

There's talk of how the curator is going to ensure an even bounce in the remaining games. Well, the India v Pakistan game will show us whether he has managed it or not. Till then, good luck, batters.

Professional Management Group