ICC changes rating of Indore pitch from ‘poor’ to ‘below average’ after BCCI’s appeal

The ICC has changed the rating of the pitch used for the 3rd Test between IND and AUS to ‘below average’ following an appeal by the BCCI. The pitch was rated ‘poor’ by match referee Chris Broad after it was finished before lunch on the third day, with Australia winning the match.

ICC said in a media release –

“Having reviewed footage of the Test match, the ICC appeal panel, consisting of Mr. Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager – Cricket, and Mr. Roger Harper, ICC Men’s Cricket Committee Member, were of the opinion that, while the guidelines had been followed by the Match Referee in accordance with Appendix A of the Pitch Monitoring Process.”

ICC added – “it was deemed that there was not enough excessive variable bounce to warrant the ‘poor’rating. Instead, the appeal panel concluded that the pitch should be rated as ‘below average’.”

Following the initial rating, where Indore was awarded three demerit points, it has now been changed to one demerit point.

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Initially, BCCI in his report had said –

“The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start. The fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface. And continued to occasionally break the surface providing little or no seam movement and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match.”