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England captain Jos Buttler has suggested the state of the outfield in Dharamshala could compromise \u201cthe integrity of the game\u201d when his side face Bangladesh on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The HPCA Stadium is one of the most visually stunning grounds in the world, set against the Himalayan mountain range of Dhauladhar, but the field of play is causing serious concerns due to its loose, sandy make-up and uneven grass coverage.<\/p>\n
Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman came close to a nasty injury on Saturday when his knee lodged in the surface as he slid to stop a boundary, with debris spraying up from the soil as he landed.<\/p>\n
The International Cricket Council have stressed that the outfield was rated \u2018average\u2019 by the officials at that game, while match referee Javagal Srinath has declared himself satisfied after a fresh inspection.<\/p>\n
But England have had two training days at the venue and are unimpressed by conditions, which appear to fall short of international norms.<\/p>\n
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Buttler said: \u201cI think it\u2019s poor, in my own opinion. It\u2019s not as good as it could be or should be.<\/p>\n
\u201cCertainly if you feel like you\u2019re having to hold yourself back, it\u2019s not a place you want to be as a team, or as a player, or in a World Cup match.\u201d<\/p>\n
He subsequently took his misgivings even further, telling the BBC: \u201cThe powers that be are comfortable\u2026 the only thing I would question is, if you are telling players not to dive and stuff does that question the integrity of the game?<\/p>\n
\u201cWorse case scenario is something bad happens, but fingers crossed that doesn\u2019t happen for both teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
You want to put your body on the line and be trying to save every single run and have confidence in the field<\/p>\n
Buttler appeared particularly frustrated at the idea of asking his side to hold back \u2013 particularly as they look to provide a rousing response to their hefty nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the tournament opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny time you\u2019re talking about being careful diving, or maybe being careful when you\u2019re fielding, it goes against everything you want to be as a team,\u201d Buttler said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to dive through a row houses to save a run. so it\u2019s obviously not ideal, the way the surface is.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s definitely one where you\u2019re going to have to be a little bit careful, which isn\u2019t what you want to be doing when you\u2019re playing for your country.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou want to put your body on the line and be trying to save every single run and have confidence in the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe won\u2019t be using it as an excuse, we\u2019ll just have to be a bit smart.\u201d<\/p>\n