Buttler's concerns echoed the sentiments of Afghanistan's coach, Jonathan Trott, who had raised similar issues after the first game at the venue. Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman, an Afghan player, had suffered an awkward fall due to uneven ground.
Afterward, an inspection was conducted by head curator and ICC's independent pitch consultant. While the venue was cleared for the match, the outfield was rated as 'average' by the ICC.
Buttler expressed his hope that players from both teams do not suffer any unfortunate injuries due to the outfield conditions. He acknowledged the need for caution and smart fielding due to the outfield's condition.
"So, it's not as good as it could be or should be, but it's going to be the same for both teams, and the wicket looks fantastic. So, as I said, we're hungry to get out there and play well, so we won't be using it as an excuse; we just have to be a bit smart," Buttler concluded.
The outfield's quality is not the only concern; the run-up area for fast bowlers also shows signs of patchiness, which could affect their performance. Buttler expressed confidence that professional players will adapt to the conditions, but he emphasized the importance of trust and confidence in the run-up.
"I think it's the same again, about getting a bit of trust. You have guys tearing in and trying to bowl fast and they need that confidence in the run up. It'll probably take guys a couple of balls to get used to it. But they're professionals, they'll adapt," Buttler said.
As teams continue to compete in the World Cup, the state of the outfield in Dharamsala remains a topic of discussion and a factor that players must navigate during their matches.
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