Drop-in pitches could nullify our home advantage at 2027 ODI World Cup: South Africa coach Shukri Conrad

South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad has expressed concern about the potential use of drop-in pitches at the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to take place across South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia from October 4 to November 21. Cricket SA has spent the past two years cultivating drop-in pitches at major venues, with The Wanderers already trialling the surface in a domestic One-Day Cup match. The pitch was prepared in a specially designed stainless steel tray before being installed into the playing area.

Early reports from The Wanderers trial indicated mixed results, with players noting the ball kept a bit low from the Golf Course End, while Lions bowling coach Allan Donald assessed that the surface played really well during the domestic fixture. Conrad's primary experience with drop-in pitches comes from observing their use during the T20 World Cup in America, where the ICC acknowledged that pitches in New York had been substandard.

"The only experience I've got is watching it from afar, when it was employed in the T20 World Cup in America, and we all know how that played. So I'm not so sure when it's going to get used, if it's going to get used in the World Cup even. I'd like to think that it will be used quite a bit before a decision gets made," Conrad said during a media briefing on Tuesday.

The South Africa coach acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the deployment of drop-in pitches at the World Cup and emphasised the importance of extensive domestic use before any World Cup implementation.

"On a personal level — and this is not the view of Cricket South Africa or anyone, I need to add that disclaimer — I'd be disappointed if it were used in the World Cup, because it nullifies whatever home advantage there is, if there is a home advantage. We know our conditions in South Africa are unique at every ground. And I'd like to think that there would be that advantage," he added.

The Proteas have traditionally benefited from their familiarity with local playing conditions across different venues.

Testing drop-in pitches domestically first

Conrad suggested that drop-in pitches should be tested extensively in domestic cricket before any World Cup decision is finalised.

"And again, I think you'll probably see the value of that after two years or so, of being used for two years. So the brutally honest answer is, I don't know how it reacts. I don't know how it plays," Conrad explained.

His preference is for a two-year domestic trial period to allow proper evaluation of the surface's behaviour and characteristics before the World Cup.

Former Proteas players have also voiced criticism of the drop-in pitch initiative. Dave Callaghan expressed scepticism about the investment, stating that considerable resources have been allocated to address a matter that required no intervention.

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Tabraiz Shamsi emphasised the strategic disadvantage, noting that understanding local conditions represents a significant competitive edge that the Proteas would forfeit at the World Cup if drop-in pitches were deployed. Both former players highlighted concerns about abandoning South Africa's traditional conditioning advantage ahead of the home tournament.