Dubai: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday revealed that it had rated the Newlands pitch for the second Test match between India and South Africa which had ended in two days as ‘unsatisfactory’.
The Cape Town Test had wrapped up in 642 balls overall, thereby earning the game the title of the shortest completed Test match ever. India claimed victory by seven wickets. In the first innings, Mohammed Siraj’s 6/15 skittled South Africa for 55, while India managed to take a 98-run lead on the back of their 153 all out. Aiden Markram battled hard for the hosts in the second innings with a century, but India just needed a total of 79 runs to win.
The decision was made under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. ICC Match Referee Chris Broad submitted his report, which expressed the concerns of the match officials, and following the assessment, the Newlands pitch in Cape Town was deemed “unsatisfactory”.
“The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on,” Broad said. “The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots. Several batters were hit on the gloves and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce.”
Cricket South Africa have 14 days to appeal against the sanction.
As per the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, if a pitch or outfield is rated as substandard or unsatisfactory, that venue is slapped with demerit points. One demerit point is awarded to venues whose pitches and outfields are rated by the match referee as unsatisfactory. If a venue reaches six demerit points, it is suspended from hosting any international cricket for 12 months. The penalty is 24 months in case of 12 demerit points.
These points remain active for a rolling five-year period.
India captain Rohit Sharma had some sharp words after the Test had ended in just two days.
“I don’t mind being on pitches like this as long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and no one is talking about the pitches there,” Rohit had said after the match. “Yes it is dangerous, but you come here (South Africa) to challenge yourself and you must face up to it.”
Agencies

KR Desk