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ICC To Monitor Preparations Ahead of WC Final Amidst Pitch-Swapping Allegations

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As preparations at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad get underway in full swing, it has been learnt that the ICC pitch consultant Andy Atkinson has arrived in Ahmedabad on Friday afternoon and will join the preparations on Saturday. Previously, news agency PTI had reported that Atkinson had departed from India ahead of the final.

An insider source from ICC revealed that Atkinson did not head back home. In fact, he is expected to review the ground conditions on Saturday with a group of experts appointed by the ICC.

"Andy hasn't gone back home. He has come with ICC delegation today afternoon and hence didn't come to the ground. He will be available tomorrow to check on the preparation of the track."

Atkinson has not been visibly impressed by the BCCI of late and leveled serious allegations at the host nation for changing the pitch from a fresh surface to a used surface for the semi-final clash between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium.

Nevertheless, the ICC provided a clarification stating that there is no regulation requiring knock-out matches to be held on a new track, and Atkinson was informed of this update beforehand.

On Friday, the BCCI's chief of ground staff officials including Ashish Bhowmick and his deputy Taposh Chatterjee closely monitored the pitch preparations for the mega final on Sunday. Apart from preparations made by the ICC, efforts are also underway by the home board to ensure there are no slip-ups in terms of pitch preparations ahead of the blockbuster World Cup clash.

However, at this stage, it cannot be fully ascertained whether the track that will be selected will be a used one or a fresh one. But the two senior curators and BCCI GM monitored the use of heavy roller on the 22-yard strip and reckoned that anything around 315 would be a very defendable total.