The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally delivered 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 Eden Gardens in Kolkata 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, reported TOI.
India vs South Africa pitches escape ICC punishment; Kolkata pitch rating revealed
That Kolkata Test match ended inside three days last month, with South Africa crushing the Shubman Gill-led Indian cricket team by 30 runs. The Eden Gardens surface produced sharp turns and kept bowlers in the game throughout, yet the ICC was satisfied with the track.
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Interestingly, the pitch for 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, as they handed India a humiliating defeat of a massive 408 runs and sealed the Test series 2-0.
With this massive victory, South Africa recorded their first Test series victory in India in 25 years and whitewashed the hosts only for the second time in their history.
MCG Pitch Fails ICC Test and Handed a Demerit Point
On the other hand, Melbourne’s MCG pitch used for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England came under the scanner after the match ended inside just two days.
ICC match referee Jeff Crowe rated the MCG surface as “unsatisfactory” on Tuesday (December 30). As a result of the poor rating, the MCG has been handed one demerit point by the ICC.
To be continued…