Twenty20 World Cup : Nassau Stadium in NY nearing completion

Pitches being installed at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)
Pitches being installed at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. (Photo courtesy ICC Media)

NEW YORK, , CMC – Organisers said yesterday Nassau County International Cricket Stadium was nearing completion with the recent installation of the four drop-in pitches, as the new venue prepares for the opening exchanges in next month’s Twenty20 World Cup.

The stadium, located at Eisenhower Park in southeastern New York, is set to host eight matches in the opening round of the June 1-29 showpiece, with the India-Pakistan clash on June 9 the headline fixture.

The pitches, cultivated with native Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass, were developed in Florida by Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions and the US-based LandTek Group, and will provide the stage for the historic games, beginning with a blockbuster between Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3.

“What we have seen accomplished in just a few short months is absolutely incredible and wholly-thanks to the world-class team we have assembled to construct this venue and develop a field of play worthy of the greatest cricket players in the world,” said T20 USA Inc. CEO Brett Jones.

“On behalf of T20 USA, my thanks to all involved for their dedication and professionalism and I can’t wait to welcome the world’s best next month for the ICC Men’s World Cup 2024.”

Final construction is being undertaken on the north and south premium hospitality and media pavilions structures and organisers said they were “on track for imminent completion”. Once completed, the venue is expected to boast a capacity of 34 000.

“As we reach the final stages of construction of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium we are delighted to see a world-class facility ready for the best cricketers in the world,” said ICC head of events, Chris Tetley. “We can’t wait to see fans experience their own bit of history, with hospitality options across all matches in New York, including India and Pakistan, we would encourage fans to book now before they sell out.”

Ireland, Canada and the Netherlands are the other teams set to feature at the venue.

Dallas and Fort Lauderdale will also stage matches in the tournament which is being co-hosted by West Indies.