The first match played at the pop-up ground in Eisenhower Park saw Sri Lanka skittled by South Africa for their lowest T20 total of 77 as question marks were once again raised over the drop-in pitches prepared by Adelaide Oval curator Damien Hough, which were initially planted in Australia before being transported to the USA.
Ireland lost the toss, were inserted, and managed 19 runs more than the Sri Lankans but they were still all out in just 16 overs. Whoever bats first in matches at this ground is likely to find it hard going.
The pitch played its part but India’s quartet of Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Bumrah and Pandya deserve their dues after they bowled with ferocious aggression, and a fair chunk of skill.
Harry Tector, in particular, took a battering before he was dismissed by a snorter from Bumrah which reared up and brushed his glove before it struck him on the helmet and was caught by Kohli.
Tector departed the scene shaking his head and wincing in pain. It even got to the stage at 77-9 where India’s fans – perhaps fearing they might not see some of their heroes bat – were cheering Irish boundaries.
“Trying to sell the game in the US is great. Love it. But for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on X, formerly Twitter.
