The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally given its verdict on some of the most talked-about pitches in recent Test cricket, including the India-South Africa Test series and the Boxing Day Test between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
Despite heavy criticism and debate, the turning track at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens for the first Test between India and South Africa has received a “satisfactory” rating from ICC match referee and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson, TOI reports.
India vs South Africa pitches escape ICC punishment; Kolkata’s pitch rating revealed
That Kolkata Test match last month ended inside three days, with South Africa defeating the Shubman Gill-led Indian cricket team by 30 runs. The Eden Gardens surface offered sharp turns and kept the bowlers engaged throughout the game, yet the ICC was satisfied with the track.
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Interestingly, the pitch of the second and final Test at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati was rated “Very Good” by the ICC. South Africa completely dominated the Guwahati Test and defeated India by 408 runs and won the Test series 2-0.
With this huge win, South Africa recorded their first Test series win in India in 25 years and whitewashed the hosts for only the second time in their history.
MCG pitch fails ICC test and gets one demerit point
On the other hand, Melbourne’s MCG pitch, used for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England, came under question after the match ended in just two days.
ICC match referee Jeff Crowe on Tuesday (December 30) described the MCG surface as “unsatisfactory”. The poor rating resulted in MCG being given one demerit point by the ICC.
to be continued…