Cricket World Cup: Reports of late pitch switch in build-up to Blackcaps v India semi-final

Just hours out from the World Cup semi-final between the Blackcaps and hosts India, the match has been plunged into controversy, with accusations of pitchswitching.

The Daily Mail newspaper reports the Indian cricket board, as host nation, has decided that, rather than playing on a brand new pitch, it wants to move the match across to a different pitch.

Ground staff prepare the Mumbai pitch for the World Cup semi-final.
Ground staff prepare the Mumbai pitch for the World Cup semi-final. Photo credit: Getty Images

Same stadium, same bit of grass, but a slightly different part of that field that has already been used a couple of times at this World Cup.

That's the key - the more worn and torn and used a cricket pitch, more often than not, spin bowling into play and India have one of the best spinners in the world in Ravi Jadeja.

NZ Cricket is playing the reports with a very straight bat, saying it just wants to focus on the game at this stage and rightfully so.

This a World Cup semi-final against an Indian team at home and unbeaten so far, so New Zealand have to be at their absolute best.

Join Newshub at 9:30pm for live updates of the Blackcaps v India World Cup semi-final