South Africa introduces drop-in pitches for 2027 World Cup preparations

Cricket South Africa is implementing drop-in pitches at major venues in advance of the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, co-hosted with Zimbabwe and Namibia. This change addresses the degradation of traditional pitches, which have become slower and more spin-friendly. Key players, including coach Shukri Conrad and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, have expressed concerns that this technology could diminish home advantages. Groundsman Rupert Bailey highlighted that the shift aims to protect overworked squares while preparing for the tournament. A domestic One-Day Cup match has already tested a drop-in strip, which received positive feedback despite some pitch irregularities.

• 1:13 PMYahoo Sports — South African cricket adopt revolutionary ground measures: Drop-in pitches set to reshape SA venues before 2027 ODI World Cup - Report