‘Started crying again?’ – Fans show outrage to Michael Vaughan’s tweet about reports of pitch being changed before 1st Semi-Final game

There is a huge controversy brewing ahead of the 1^st Semi-Finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 tournament. As per a few reports doing the rounds, it is said that the pitch has been changed in Mumbai just a day before the game. Michael Vaughan the former England skipper has now taken shots at the controversy and tweeted his views on the same.

Daily Mail a noted English tabloid has implied that the game was to be played with a new pitch. This has been changed to an older and used surface which has already hosted two games in the ODI World Cup 2023 tournament.

Following the reports coming out, there has been a huge hue and cry in the media. Many are using this as a reason to have a go at the Indian Cricket Board with just hours left to go for the game.

Was the pitch moved and what do the rules say?

English tabloids have created a storm ahead of the first semi-finals between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday. As per reports, Pitch number 7 was supposed to be used for the game but now it has been moved to Pitch number six. This prompted Michael Vaughan to put out a tweet just before the game could begin.

Andy Atkinson who is the supervisor for the pitches being prepared had been told that there was an issue with pitch number 7. Further reports state that Andy Atkinson has started to show his frustrations ahead of the final game in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

The head of the pitch curators appointed by the Apex Cricket Body wrote a furious email that read “As a result of these actions, one must speculate if this will be the first ever ODI World Cup final to have a pitch which has been specifically chosen and prepared  to their stipulation at the request of  the team management and/or of the home nation board”

There are no guidelines issued by the Apex Cricket Body as it pertains to the preparations of the pitches. As the rule says the “relevant ground authority is responsible for selection and preparation of the pitch”.

Here’s how the fans reacted –