The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitches used for the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s Cricket Ground and the third ODI between Pakistan and Australia at Gaddafi Stadium as “Unsatisfactory”, handing each venue one demerit point under its Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Match Referee Andy Pycroft said the Lord’s pitch offered excessive seam movement and variable bounce, resulting in 16 wickets falling on the opening day and 17 on the second day.
“There was simply an over-balance in favour of ball against bat caused by the pitch,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Match Referee Graeme La Brooy said the Gaddafi Stadium surface was slow and low, making run-scoring difficult and offering assistance to spin bowlers from the early stages of the match.
The ICC has forwarded the reports to the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Pakistan Cricket Board, which have 14 days to appeal the sanctions.
Both venues have no previous demerit points.
Under ICC regulations, a venue receives one demerit point for an “Unsatisfactory” rating and three demerit points for a pitch deemed “Unfit”. Demerit points remain active for five years. A venue accumulating six demerit points faces a 12-month suspension from hosting international cricket, while 12 demerit points result in a 24-month suspension. (Newswire)
