New Delhi: The pitch of the third Test match played under the four-match Test series between India and Australia was termed as poor by the ICC. With this, he had given the board time to appeal within 14 days. Now the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has formally protested the poor rating given by the ICC to the Indore pitch. In a formal letter sent by a BCCI official recently, the cricket board has sought a review of match referee Chris Broad after he rated the pitch at the Holkar Stadium as “poor”, reported Cricbuzz. The bad rating is accompanied by three demerit points from the ICC, which will remain active for a rolling period of five years.
Test was over in three days
The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was over within three days. In which India lost by nine wickets in the first session of the third day. According to the rules, “When a venue accumulates five demerit points, it is suspended from hosting any international cricket for 12 months. Whereas if there are 10 points, it is suspended for 24 months.
Hastily rated
According to BCCI sources, appeals are always made as it seems ratings are given in haste. The match referee’s decision on the pitch came only hours after the end of the Test, which was unusual in such cases by the ICC. The BCCI officials also believe that there is scope for review and if possible, can bring the decision down to average. The ICC’s two-member committee will now look into the BCCI’s objection.
Decision had to be changed on Rawalpindi pitch
The ICC has been reconsidering such cases in the past as well. Recently, the ICC overturned its decision on the Rawalpindi pitch, which was initially declared ‘below average’ and given one demerit point, but on appeal by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the ICC revised its rating. went back and withdrew its decision for the stadium to host the WTC Test.
Sourav Ganguly Cricket Committee President
Following BCCI’s appeal, a two-member committee comprising the ICC General Manager and the Chairman of the Cricket Committee will review the match referee’s assessment. Sourav Ganguly is the chairman of the cricket committee and former PCB CEO Wasim Khan is the GM. As it is against the BCCI, there could be another official in place of Ganguly who will look into the matter. The ICC must take a final decision within 14 days of receiving the appeal.
