International Cricket Council (ICC) Update — The ICC has announced that the pitch used for the second Test of the ICC World Test Championship series between South Africa and India at Newlands, Cape Town, has been rated as “unsatisfactory.” This assessment comes under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
ICC Match Referee Chris Broad, in his report, highlighted concerns from the match officials and feedback from team captains Dean Elgar (South Africa) and Rohit Sharma (India), both of whom expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch quality. According to Broad, the pitch exhibited quick and sometimes alarmingly inconsistent bounce, posing challenges for batters and resulting in multiple instances of batters being hit and wickets falling due to the uneven bounce.
As a result, the Newlands venue has received one demerit point. Cricket South Africa has been informed of this decision and has a 14-day window to appeal against the sanction.
Understanding the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process:
- Venues with pitches and outfields rated as “unsatisfactory” receive one demerit point, while those marked as “unfit” receive three demerit points.
- These demerit points remain active for a rolling period of five years.
- Accumulation of six demerit points within this period leads to a 12-month suspension from hosting any international cricket, and reaching 12 points results in a 24-month suspension.
The demerit point for Newlands is a cautionary reminder of the importance of maintaining high standards in pitch preparation for international cricket, ensuring fair and safe conditions for all players. The rating and subsequent action aim to uphold the integrity and quality of the sport at the highest level.
