Examining the Newlands pitch in detail

Is the Newlands pitch's "unsatisfactory" rating fair or too lenient? While the jury is currently considering the case, recent modifications to the International Cricket Council's (ICC) rules may have limited the match referee's ability to impose harsher penalties. The ICC has simplified the ratings into only four categories: very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and unfit. This is in contrast to the old six-grade rating system, which included very good, good, average, below average, poor, and unfit.This narrowed spectrum left match referee Chris Broad with less options. Broad has not always been favored by Indian teams. If there hadn't been a real risk, the pitch wouldn't have been classified as "unfit," which would have resulted in three demerit points. Broad chose to give the Newlands pitch a "unsatisfactory" grade with one demerit point because he did not believe it to be dangerous. With only 642 deliveries, the contest ended in less than five sessions, making it the shortest Test match in nearly 150 years of cricket history. India leveled the two-Test series at 1-1 after winning the Test by seven wickets."Batting on the pitch at Newlands was quite challenging.

Throughout the game, the ball bounced swiftly and occasionally frighteningly, making it challenging to play shots. In elucidating the rating, Broad noted, "Several batters were hit on the gloves, and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce." He refrained from using the term "dangerous," which would have resulted in an unsuitable rating. What the ICC looks for in a pitch is described in its ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. It is acknowledged that early in the game, a small amount of seam movement is permissible and that as the match goes on, a pitch may acquire some uneven bounce for seam bowlers. This is fine, but it shouldn't progress to the extent that they may be regarded asMost people believe that member boards file appeals rather than making necessary corrections. The Western Province Cricket Association (WPCA) and the CSA have intimated that they might not file an appeal in this matter, but they still have 14 days to do so. "Under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, the WPCA accepts the International Cricket Council's determination that the pitch at Newlands Cricket Ground for the second Test between South Africa and India was 'unsatisfactory.'" The WPCA is dedicated to maintaining the greatest standards in cricket and making sure that the playing fields at Newlands are of the greatest caliber. We take seriously the input provided by Mr. Chris Broad, the ICC Match Referee, and we appreciate his concerns. In my capacity as an accountable