In the picturesque setting of Dharamshala, where the Himalayan mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the cricketing action, England captain Jos Buttler has voiced his concerns about the state of the outfield in the lead-up to their crucial World Cup clash against Bangladesh. In what was supposed to be a pristine setting for cricket, the patchy and sand-based outfield has left Buttler questioning its impact on the integrity of the game.
England’s preparations for the match have been far from ideal, with the team having barely trained on the problematic outfield due to concerns about player safety. Afghan coach Jonathan Trott recently raised alarms when spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman’s knee dug into the ground during a match at the same venue, narrowly avoiding a serious injury. Buttler expressed his unease, stating, “You want to dive around and save every single run, but you are going to have to be a little bit smart as fielders and a little bit careful, which isn’t something you want to be when you are playing for your country.”
Tournament officials conducted an inspection of the outfield on Sunday, and match referee Javagal Srinath appears to have no significant concerns. However, questions remain about whether instructing players not to dive and take risks may compromise the essence of the game.
The history of the Dharamshala venue itself has raised eyebrows. A Test match between Australia and India was scheduled to be played here in March but had to be relocated due to issues with the outfield. In an effort to address the problems, the entire outfield was relaid before that game to improve drainage. Despite these efforts, concerns still persist about its suitability for international cricket.
Buttler, while acknowledging the authorities’ confidence in the venue, raised the important point, “The only thing I would question is if you are telling players not to dive and stuff, does that question the integrity of the game really, because that is what you want to be able to do. Worse-case scenario is something bad happens, but fingers crossed that doesn’t happen for both teams.”
For defending champions England, this match against Bangladesh carries significant weight following their heavy defeat by New Zealand in the tournament opener. They currently find themselves at the bottom of the table in the 10-team group stage. Buttler emphasized the team’s determination to bounce back, saying, “We know we didn’t play as well as we can in the last game, and we’re desperate to put that right, both individually and as a team. There’s plenty of hunger in the group, and we’re excited to get back on the field.”
In terms of team news, Ben Stokes is likely to miss the game as he continues his recovery from a hip injury. Conditions in Dharamshala have historically favored seam bowling, and the pitch used for Saturday’s match between Bangladesh and Afghanistan was notably slow. However, Tuesday’s encounter is set to take place on a fresh surface that appears to favor batting, potentially prompting England to consider changes in their lineup.
The Dharamshala venue itself, though a far cry from the colossal cricket stadium in Ahmedabad where England played New Zealand, offers a unique and breathtaking setting for the game. Perched at an altitude of 1,500 meters above sea level, with the Himalayan mountains providing a stunning backdrop, it’s undoubtedly one of the most scenic cricket grounds in the world.
As England prepares to take on Bangladesh in this captivating location, the concerns about the outfield’s impact on the game’s integrity continue to linger. While the authorities have given the green light, the players and fans will be hoping for a safe and competitive match in the heart of the Himalayas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cricket World Cup 2023
Q: Why is Jos Buttler concerned about the Dharamshala outfield?
A: Jos Buttler is concerned about the Dharamshala outfield due to its poor condition, characterized by patchiness and a sand-based surface. He questions whether this outfield’s quality might compromise the integrity of the World Cup match against Bangladesh.
Q: What impact has the outfield’s condition had on England’s preparations?
A: The problematic outfield has severely affected England’s preparations for the match, as they have been unable to train adequately on it due to concerns about player safety.
Q: What incident raised alarms about player safety at Dharamshala?
A: Afghan coach Jonathan Trott raised alarms when spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman’s knee dug into the ground during a match at the same venue, narrowly avoiding a serious injury.
Q: How have tournament officials and match referees responded to the outfield concerns?
A: Tournament officials inspected the surface, and match referee Javagal Srinath reportedly has no significant concerns about the outfield’s condition.
Q: What does Jos Buttler believe might be compromised by instructing players not to take risks on the outfield?
A: Buttler questions whether instructing players not to dive and take risks might compromise the integrity of the game, as these actions are essential to cricket’s competitive spirit.
Q: What significance does this match hold for England in the context of the World Cup?
A: This match is crucial for defending champions England, especially after their heavy defeat by New Zealand in the tournament opener. They currently sit at the bottom of the table in the 10-team group stage.
Q: Who is likely to miss the game for England, and why?
A: Ben Stokes is likely to miss the game due to his ongoing recovery from a hip injury.
Q: What are the prevailing pitch and playing conditions at Dharamshala?
A: Conditions at Dharamshala are typically favorable to seam bowling, but the pitch for Saturday’s match was notably slow. However, Tuesday’s match is set to be played on a fresh surface that appears to favor batting.
Q: What makes the Dharamshala venue unique in the world of cricket?
A: The Dharamshala venue offers a breathtaking setting, perched 1,500 meters above sea level, with the Himalayan mountains providing a stunning backdrop, making it one of the most scenic cricket grounds globally.
Q: How do fans and players hope the match in Dharamshala will unfold despite outfield concerns?
A: Fans and players hope for a safe and competitive match in the heart of the Himalayas, even as concerns about the outfield’s impact on the game’s integrity persist.
More about Cricket World Cup 2023
- BBC Sport – Cricket World Cup 2023
- ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
- The Guardian – Dharamshala outfield
- ESPN Cricinfo – Cricket News
- The Telegraph – Cricket
- Cricbuzz – Cricket News
- Cricket.com.au – Australian Cricket News
- Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
2 comments
I feel for the players, they wanna give their all but gotta be careful, let’s see how this match turns out!
Cricket, movies, and mountains – what more can you ask for? Dharamshala’s got it all!