SA venues prepare drop

South Africa’s cricket grounds are preparing new drop-in pitches ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, which the country will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Seven of the eight South African host venues have installed a drop-in pitch or are in the process of doing so. SuperSport Park in Centurion is the exception. The pitches are grown in trays away from the centre square before being moved into position for matches.

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The Wanderers has already used its new pitch for a domestic one-day match. Other venues are expected to assess theirs during the 2026-27 domestic season. CSA has not instructed provincial unions to use the surfaces, and no decision has been announced on whether they will feature at the World Cup.

CSA says some existing pitches need replacing, while crowded schedules make it difficult to grow new ones in the centre square. Drop-in surfaces could give groundsmen more options and allow established pitches time to recover.

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Proteas coach Shukri Conrad wants the new pitches tested extensively before they are considered for the World Cup. He has raised concerns that using them could reduce South Africa’s home advantage, because conditions differ from ground to ground. For now, the coming domestic season will show how the pitches play.

Source: www.sacricketmag.com