'It Seems Strange': Ricky Ponting Gives His Verdict On Trinidad Pitch Used For AFG vs SA T20 WC Semi-Final

'it seems strange': ricky ponting gives his verdict on trinidad pitch used for afg vs sa t20 wc semi-final

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has given his verdict on Brian Lara Stadium pitch that was used for the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final between Afghanistan against South Africa in Trinidad. The pitch used in the first semi-final was completely new and offered lateral seam movement and had inconsistent bounce.

The unpredictable nature of the pitch was a nightmare for batters as Afghanistan were bowled out for 56 - the lowest score in a T20 World Cup semifinal after they won the toss and opted to bat first. Even though South Africa chased down the target in 8.5 overs to reach the final of the tournament, their batters also struggled.

According to Ricky Ponting, it was strange to see a completely new pitch for a semifinal match of an ICC event.

"It seems strange to me that you'll use a brand new wicket for a semifinal one that you’ve actually got no idea about how it’s going to play. We heard the preparation for this wicket started about a week and a half," Ponting told the host broadcaster.

Former Australia skipper was unhappy with uneven bounce and said that the groundsman shouldn't have experimented with the pitch.

"There was a game early in the tournament - West Indies and New Zealand - which was a 150 plays 140 type game. And at least they had some sort of idea of how that wicket was going to play. I know the ball swung that night. That’s okay. You can deal with that. But the variation in bounce and seam that we’ve seen here, I’m not sure if I’m the groundsman, I’ll be experimenting with something like that in such a big moment," Ponting said.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott also criticised the Trinidad pitch, asserting that it was unfit for a contest of such magnitude.

"I don't want to get myself into trouble and I don't want to come across as bitter or it being a case of sour grapes but that's not the pitch that you want to have a match, a semi-final of a World Cup on, plain and simple," Trott said at the post-match press conference.

The former England batter said the pitch took batting completely out of the game.

"It should be a fair contest. I'm not saying it should be flat completely with no spin and no seam movement, I'm saying you shouldn't have batsmen worrying about going forward," Trott explained.

"They should be confident in foot movement and be able to hit through the line or use their skills. T20 is about attacking and about scoring runs and taking wickets, not looking to survive," he added.

Following their victory over Afghanistan, the Aiden Markram-led South Africa now await the winner of the India versus England semi-final.