With the end of the second and final Test match between South Africa and India, which finished in the shortest amount of time in history—642 balls, or 107 overs—the Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town has been the center of conversation. Interestingly, the visitors won by seven wickets, which was their first victory at this location. According to Cricbuzz, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is currently considering sanctioning the Newlands pitch.
It is expected that the ICC would apply demerit points against the ground in addition to possible punishment. Regarding whether Rohit Sharma will face consequences for his comments criticizing the Indian Cricket Board and the match referee, there is no conjecture, nevertheless. After the match, the captain of India publicly criticized the surface.
There was a lot of criticism directed at match referee Chris Broad’s evaluation of the surface following the outcome of the second test in the second session on Day 2. The former batter for England, Broad, has been forced to be assigned a grade of either poor or unfit.
Note that there are six categories in which pitches can be rated: very good, good, average, below average, terrible, and unfit. The pitch will receive demerit points, which can range from one to five, if the rating falls into one of the final two categories. These points could result in suspension. Ratings of very good, good, and average are not being scrutinized at this time; however, ratings of below average could result in a less severe punishment. A low or unsuitable grade is anticipated for the Newlands surface.
The International Cricket Council, or ICC, usually makes a ruling on issues such as these following an assessment by its operations team in Dubai of the match referee’s rating. But Monday, January 8, is probably when the final decision will be made public.
The SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion, which served as the venue for the first Test, was also scrutinized for the unreversed.
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