EXCLUSIVE: Cricket World Cup STORM as India are accused of switching the pitch for semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai against ICC agreement to aid their spinners

The Cricket World Cup has been plunged into a stunning row amid claims that the Indian board switched the pitch for their team’s semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday without ICC approval.

And they could do the same if India reach Sunday’s final in Ahmedabad, where three of the four group matches have been played on surfaces different from those on the schedule.

The pitches at ICC events are prepared under the supervision of the governing body’s adviser, Andy Atkinson, who agrees in advance with the home board which of the numbered strips on the square will be used for each game.

But Mail Sport understands the agreement has been ignored as the tournament reaches its climax, with the semi-final set to take place on a pitch that has already been used twice. This could help India’s world-class spinners reach their highest level. first 50-over World Cup final since 2011.

The pitch for Wednesday’s match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium would be number 7, a brand new surface that was unused for any of the venue’s four group matches.

India are big favorites when they play New Zealand (photo) in the semi-finals

But a WhatsApp message circulated on Tuesday among a group of more than 50 BCCI and ICC officials confirmed that the first semi-final had been moved to pitch No. 6, which was already hosting matches between England and South Africa, plus India and Sri Lanka.

It is believed Atkinson has been told there is an unspecified problem with field No. 7 – a view he is believed not to share.

This follows concerns that plans for the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, where India or New Zealand meet Australia or South Africa, who play in Kolkata on Thursday, could also be changed unilaterally.

Atkinson is said to have been frustrated by the lack of a clear answer on preparations for the final, prompting him to fly to Ahmedabad last Friday.

And it has emerged that although the opening match of the tournament, between England and New Zealand, had taken place on the pre-arranged No. 6 pitch, none of the next three matches conformed to the schedule, with Atkinson writing in an email to his bosses claimed the changes were made ‘without notice or warning’.

The matter was complicated by the fact that he was told by the ICC’s senior events manager at the venue that the India-Pakistan match there took place on October 14 on field No. 7 as per the schedule, when in fact it took place on field No. 5.

Atkinson’s recommendation is that the final should also be played on pitch No. 5, which has only been used once, although he heard last week that pitch No. 6 – which has been used twice – could get the honour, leaving the Indian spinners would be in trouble again. play.

When he asked who had approved the various changes, the BCCI said it was the Gujarat Cricket Association, while the GCA claimed they were acting on behalf of the BCCI, with the requests being made directly by the Indian team management.

India’s Rohit Sharma inspects the pitch during training on Thursday

In his email, Atkinson warns: ‘As a result of these actions, one must speculate as to whether this will be the first ever ICC CWC (Cricket World Cup) final with a pitch specifically chosen and prepared on request according to their provisions. of the team management and/or the hierarchy of the home country’s administration.’

He added: “Or will it be selected or prepared without favoritism to any of the parties participating in the match in the usual manner, and no doubt because this is the usual field for the occasion?”

A BCCI spokesperson said: “The ICC’s independent pitch consultant is working with the hosts and venues on their proposed pitch allocations and this process continues throughout an event of this length and nature.”