After a pitch controversy sullied the atmosphere ahead of the World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday clarified that the independent pitch consultant Andy Atkinson was taken into confidence on the change of surface.

A few reports suggested that while a fresh pitch was originally prepared for the last-four match at the Wankhede Stadium, later it was decided to play the game on a “used” deck in order to help Indian spinners. However, the global governing body of the game clarified that the decision to change the pitch has nothing uncommon to it.