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'Good Cricket But Not A Selling Product,' Heinrich Klaasen's Critical Take On New York Pitch

Klaasen played a crucial knock vs BAN [AP]Klaasen played a crucial knock vs BAN [AP]

While praising the competitive cricket played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen highlighted several concerns regarding the pitch's suitability as a marketable product.

South Africa became the first team to qualify for the Super Eight stage following their narrow four-run win over Bangladesh in a low-scoring thriller at the aforementioned venue on Monday. 

Notably, Nassau County International Stadium's pitch has been poor for batting in this tournament, repeatedly producing low-scoring matches. Last night, South Africa managed to defend a 114-run total as Bangladesh collapsed against adversities.

However, South Africa's explosive middle-order batter Heinrich Klaasen backed the New York pitch conditions as it opens the field for all teams, irrespective of their stature in international cricket.

"For us, it is very nerve-wracking, because every game becomes a really big game. There are no easy games for us especially in our group. So, it is still good entertaining cricket. Everyone is on the edge of their seat and any team can beat any team on this field," Klaasen said.

He explained that such low scoring pitches often produce nail biting matches, but could fail miserably in advertising the game due to their sluggish nature. 

"It is still good cricket for the cricket lovers that is out there. If you have to showcase it to the world and sell it, I do not think it's a great selling product, but for cricket, it is tight competition. It brings the other teams and the higher teams very close to each other, so the game is open to any team that does the basics of cricket very well," the batter opined.

Yet, as a cricketer, the Protea enjoyed a close game against Bangladesh as it kept him on the edge throughout the contest.