DP World: Delivering the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup

For the first time ever, one of the biggest tournaments in cricket – the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup – is being held in the US. 

The action began on Friday as Aaron Jones’ unbeaten 94 from just 40 balls steered USA to a seven-wicket win over Canada, ensuring the co-hosts got off to the perfect start. 

While there has, understandably, been much fanfare over the competition as a whole from a sporting perspective, far less has been reported about the logistics and organisation behind it. 

One of many outstanding efforts seen in recent months is the creation of a world-class temporary stadium in Long Island, New York – an area better known for its stunning, championship-quality golf courses. 

Logistics giant DP World was among the companies to play a key role in the operation. 

Pitches transported from Florida to New York

Built at a cost of US$30m, the newly-established Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Eisenhower Park can seat up to 34,000 fans. 

Supporters are set to flock to Long Island on Monday morning when the ground hosts its first match, a group stage contest between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at 10.30 ET. 

In the build-up to the tournament, DP World was tasked with coordinating a fleet of more than 20 vehicles and 40 drivers to transport both match and practice pitches northwards on a two-day journey from Florida to New York.

These trucks travelled through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey, covering around 1,250 miles from point to point. 

The pitches – strips of clay, soil and Bermuda grass measuring roughly 20m x 3m – were cut in two and loaded onto trucks, with each individual tray wrapped to create a microclimate and maintain the integrity and moisture of the pitches en route to New York.

“Coordinating the safe and timely journey of a 20-truck fleet through one of the world’s busiest land corridors is a challenge in its own right,” comments Terry Donohoe, SVP of Freight Forwarding, Americas at DP World. 

“In this case, however, the need to continuously and meticulously monitor the integrity of the pitches throughout the journey provided an added layer of complexity.

“It was an intensive process, but to see the pitches installed and on the verge of match action with all eyes on the World Cup has made it all worthwhile.”

DP World’s role in major sporting events

While DP World is accustomed to handling a wide variety of materials, the pitches designated for transportation to Eisenhower Park were a particularly sensitive payload.

Each individual pitch was outfitted with a moisture probe and continuously monitored in order to ensure there were no potentially damaging variances in moisture and temperature.

Given cricket matches are played on the same field repeatedly over the course of several days, the quality of the pitch is essential – and something watched closely by pundits and fans alike. 

With eyes across the globe fixed on this year’s World Cup in the US and West Indies, ensuring a world-class playing field is absolutely paramount.

Expanding on DP World’s role in delivering many of the world’s most popular sporting events, Terry adds: “DP World is a global leader in advanced supply chain solutions with ample experience with similar initiatives in the past. 

“At the 2023 Ryder Cup, we transported 25 containers from Dubai, the UK and the Netherlands to the tournament venue in Rome. Last year, we also facilitated the movement of McLaren Racing’s garage and hospitality units from Austin, Texas, to Las Vegas for the city’s inaugural F1 race.

“Together with our Premier partnership with the International Cricket Commission (ICC), we were a natural fit to take on this important effort.”

Nassau County International Cricket Stadium will be dismantled following the conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup, with the land turned back over to Nassau County.

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