ICC rates pitches used for India’s home Test season; Kanpur outfield deemed "unsatisfactory", Chepauk receives "very good" rating

India played two Tests against Bangladesh and three versus New Zealand in this home season.

India hosted Bangladesh and New Zealand this season | GettyThe International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium pitch, used for India's first Test against Bangladesh, as "very good" with other four venues used during the home season being deemed "satisfactory".

All three Test venues used against New Zealand -- Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, Pune’s MCA Stadium, and Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium – received "satisfactory" ratings from the ICC match referee.

However, the outfield served for the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium has been rated "unsatisfactory" by the ICC match referee Jeff Crowe.

Only 35 overs of play were possible on the first day of the Test match between India and Bangladesh, with no play occurring on either the second or third days, despite no rain during the scheduled hours on Day 3.

While the pitch was rated "satisfactory" with India forcing a result in the match with aggressive batting display, the outfield didn't escape the wrath of the match referee.

The high-scoring tracks at Gwalior, Delhi and Hyderabad used for the T20I series against Bangladesh were rated "very good", as they conformed to the requirements of the shortest format.

However, the Indian team management, the BCCI and local curators wouldn't be too pleased to know that ICC match referee David Boon couldn't rate any of the Test pitches used against New Zealand beyond "satisfactory".

The Chinnaswamy pitch had extreme moisture that led to India getting bowled out for 46 in the first innings while both Pune and Mumbai surfaces were "rank turners", which didn't follow the standards prescribed for a 'Good Test' match wicket.

However, the two strips managed to get "satisfactory" ratings because of some good individual batting display from players of both sides.

(With PTI Inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 08 Nov, 2024

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