International Cricket Council [ICC] match referee Chris Broad has rated the pitch used in the first Test between India and Australia in Pune as poor.
The wicket at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium was very dry in nature and the Test was completed within three days, with Australia defeating India by 333 runs.
A pitch is said to be poor in the following circumstances:
The pitch offers excessive seam movement at any stage of the match
The pitch displays excessive unevenness of bounce for any bowler at any stage of the match
The pitch offers excessive assistance to spin bowlers, especially early in the match
The pitch displays little or no seam movement or turn at any stage in the match together with no significant bounce or carry, thereby depriving the bowlers of a fair contest between bat and ball
There was a lot of criticism for the pitch during the match, with former Australia cricketer Shane Warne describing the pitch as “an absolute dust bowl” during day one of the Test.
“Broad, in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, submitted his report to the ICC in which he expressed concern over the quality of the pitch,” read the ICC media release.
“The report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which now has 14 days to provide its response.
“The BCCI’s response will be reviewed by ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.
“The matter will be decided in accordance with Clause 4 of the process.”
In case of a first time offence such as this – Pune was hosting its first Test match – guilty parties will receive “warning and/or a fine not exceeding USD 15,000 given together with a directive for appropriate corrective action”, according to that Clause 4 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.