ICC rates Newlands pitch 'unsatisfactory'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday (8 January) rated the Newlands pitch 'Unsatisfactory' after the low-scoring ICC World Test Championship clash between South Africa and India.

The decision, made under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, comes after Newlands hosted the shortest-ever completed Test match, with 642 balls bowled in total.

Mohammed Siraj's 6/15 skittled South Africa for 55 in their first innings, while India managed a 98-run lead on the back of their 153. A brilliant counter-attacking hundred from Aiden Markram proved inadequate in the third innings as India were set a target of 79. India won by seven wickets on day two.

ICC Match Referee Chris Broad submitted his report, which expressed the concerns of the match officials, and following the assessment, the Newlands pitch in Cape Town was deemed "unsatisfactory".

“The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on," Broad said. "The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots. Several batters were hit on the gloves and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce.”

In the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, if a pitch or outfield is rated as substandard, that venue is allocated certain demerit points.

One demerit point is awarded to venues whose pitches and outfields are rated by the match referee as unsatisfactory.

If a venue reaches six demerit points, it is suspended from hosting any international cricket for 12 months. The penalty is 24 months in case of 12 demerit points.

These points remain active for a rolling five-year period.

Cricket South Africa have 14 days to appeal against the sanction.