ICC rates Narendra Modi stadium pitch as ‘average’

• Image Credit: Internet

• Mar 15, 2021 | moderator

Ahmedabad: Motera stadium in Ahmedabad that was rechristened to Narendra Modi stadium has been hit by demerits after the pitch for the pink-ball Test between India and England was rated as “average” despite the match lasting only two days.

Venues are entitled to be suspended for a year if they pick up five demerit points and for two years if they pick up 10.

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A “below average” rating by the International Cricket Council’s match referee brings one point, a “poor” rating brings three while the lowest rating of “unfit” comes with five.

India won the third test inside two days after 30 wickets tumbled in five sessions on a turning track at the new stadium, which is the world’s biggest cricket venue with a capacity of seating 132,000 people. Former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath was the match referee for the four-match, series, which the hosts won 3-1.

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Several former England players and pundits questioned the suitability of the pitch while their Indian counterparts said the poor batting was due to the pink ball, which replaces the tradition red balls for day and night test matches.