Dubai: The ICC Tuesday expectedly rated the Wanderers pitch used for the third cricket Test between India and South Africa as ‘poor’ and received three demerit points in the process.
India came back from behind to win the Test by 63 runs as 40 wickets fell for 805 runs in almost 296 overs. However the 22-yard strip was the focus of attention as a number of batsmen from both sides received blows due to steep unpredictable bounce and excessive seam movement.
The play was in fact stopped by the on-field umpires on the third day as they found it dangerous to continue when Jasprit Bumrah’s bouncer struck Dean Elgar’s helmet.
“Andy Pycroft of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees has rated the Wanderers Stadium pitch as poor and, as such, according to the ICC pitch and outfield monitoring process, it has received three demerit points, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Monday,” ICC stated in a media release.
As per norms, one demerit point is awarded to venues whose pitches are rated by the match referees as below average, while three and five demerit points respectively are awarded to surfaces marked as poor and unfit, respectively.
Since the Wanderers Test got completed, ICC match referee didn’t rate the pitch as unfit which would have got it five demerit points.
According to the parent body, the demerit points will remain active for a rolling five-year period and if during this five-year period, the Wanderers Stadium reaches the threshold of five demerit points, then it will be suspended from staging any international cricket for 12 months.
press trust of india