IND vs SA 2nd Test: ICC Rates Newlands Pitch as ‘Unsatisfactory’ After the Shortest Match Ever in History

ICC Rates Newlands Pitch as ‘Unsatisfactory’ After the Shortest Match Ever in History: As we all know, India has equal the South African series, by winning the 2nd match, that too within the shorttime game has been completed in Newlands.

After 92 years this was the shortest game ever in history. On Monday, ICC rated the pitch of the newlands, as ‘unsatisfactory’.

And that decision was made according to the Outfield Monitoring Process and ICC pitch along with Match referee Chris Board who concerned about the Pitch in Newlands.

Newlands Got One Demerit Point Due to Unsatisfactory Pitch

India vs South Africa got equal points of 1-1 in the series, and in the second match India defeated the south Africa by the 55 runs, which is the shortest match ever, where India was in lead by 98 runs.

In the report, given to ICC, Chris Board said that,

“The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on. The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots.”

And the board quoted by saying that,

“The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on. 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.”

If the pitch or outfield is given unsatisfactory then that venue will get demerit points too. Cricket South Africa has 14 days time to appeal against the sanction.

Watch: Gavaskar Delivers Verdict On Pitch and Batting Tactics in IND vs SA 2nd Test

Now, due to unsatisfactory pitch, it was given one demerit point. If the venue get 6 demerit points, it will be banned for International cricket for 12 months, if the venue gets 12 demerit points it will be banned for 24 months.

And these points will remain active for the coming five years period. Even Rohit Sharma spoke about the pitch in South Africa after completion of 2nd test in newlands.

“We saw what happened in this match, how the pitch played. I don’t mind playing on pitches like this. As long as everyone keeps their mouth shut in India and don’t talk too much about Indian pitches,”

“Because you come to Test cricket to challenge yourself. Yes, it is dangerous. It is challenging. So, and when people come to India, it is again pretty challenging as well.

If the pitch starts turning (in India), people start talking about ‘Puff of dust! Puff of dust!’ There’s so much crack here (Newlands) on the pitch,” he added.

Even Shukri Conrad who is the Coach for South Africa said that,

“I don’t know what people want me to say. You only need to look at the scores. 1.5-day Test match! You need to look at how they chased 80 (79).

It’s a sad state when you need more luck than skill. All the ethics and values of Test cricket go out the window.”