ICC rates Indore Pitch, which hosted the 3rd India-Australia Test, as ‘poor’©AFP
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has declared the pitch used for the third Test meeting between India and Australia at Indore as “poor” under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process and as a result Holkar Stadium has been given three penalty points. The pitch was widely criticized by pundits for its uneven pace and bounce on offer with 30 wickets falling in just two days. Field conditions specifically favored both sides’ spins, with 26 of the 31 wickets taken during the match going to bowlers. The decision was made after a conversation between match referee Chris Broad and the two captains – Rohit Sharma of India and Steve Smith of Australia.
“The pitch, which was very dry, did not balance bat and ball, which favored spinners from the start. The fifth ball of the game broke through the surface of the field and continued to break the surface at times, resulting in little or no seam movement and excessive and uneven bounce throughout the game,” said match umpire Chris Broad while discussing field conditions.
Under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, any venue can be suspended if it receives five or more penalty points from the Cricket Board over a consecutive five-year period.
Australia made a strong comeback to the series by beating India by 9 wickets here at Holkar Stadium to cut their four Test series deficit to 1-2. With this victory, the Australians also qualified for the final of the World Test Championship.
Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Travis Head walked away needing 76 runs to win. Ravichandran Ashwin got India off to a great start by sending off Khawaja on the second ball of the day.
Then Marnus Labuschagne and Head batted wisely. Their defensive play meant India ran out of wickets, and once set they switched.
Travis Head began hitting bounds and sixes, pushing the visitors to the 50-run mark in 14.2 overs.
Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja failed to get the batters loose and pacer Umesh Yadav was also brought on the attack, but even he failed to impress.
Labuschagne then hit the winning run as Australia chased after target in 18.5 overs. Head remained unbeaten on 49 while Labuschagne was not out on 28.
(with ANI inputs)
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