ICC chief happy with 'sporting' WC pitches

BIRMINGHAM, June 30 (AFP): International Cricket Council chief executive David Richardson on Sunday said he is happy with the World Cup's "sporting pitches", insisting they have provided good balance between bat and ball.

Hosts England posted a tournament high of 397 for six against Afghanistan on June 18, but teams have struggled to get past 250 in the second innings of matches.

The 10-team competition has seen sublime hundreds by the world's top batsmen including Australia's David Warner, New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Joe Root of England.

But the bowlers have made their presence felt with Australia paceman Mitchell Starc leading the wicket-takers chart with 24 scalps in eight matches.

Richardson said the ICC's only direction to the pitch curators was to prepare sporting tracks.

"During our playing days a score of between 220 and 260 was a good score but not now. So our only direction to the curators was to prepare sporting tracks," the former South African wicketkeeper-batsman told reporters in Edgbaston.

"And what's heartening to see in this tournament is how the bowlers have had a say and we have seen some exciting cricket.