International Cricket Board changes Indore pitch rating

The International Cricket Board has changed the pitch rating of the pitch used for the third test match between India and Australia to ‘below average’ following an appeal by the Indian Cricket Board. 

The pitch had been deemed ‘Poor’ by match referee Chris Broad after an early finish on the third day, with Australia winning the match.

Indore was awarded three demerit points following the initial rating. However an appeal from the Indian Cricket Board changed the points from three to one. 

"Having reviewed footage of the Test match, the International Cricket Board appeal panel, consisting of Mr. Wasim Khan, International Cricket Board General Manager - Cricket, and Mr. Roger Harper, International Cricket Board Men's Cricket Committee Member, was of the opinion that, while the guidelines had been followed by the Match Referee in accordance with Appendix A of the Pitch Monitoring Process, it was deemed that there was not enough excessive variable bounce to warrant the "poor" rating. Instead, the appeal panel concluded that the pitch should be rated as "below average"," said the International Cricket Board in a media release.

Broad, initially in his report had said, "The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start. The fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface and continued to occasionally break the surface providing little or no seam movement and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match."

As per International Cricket Board’s Pitch and Outfield Monitoring process, a venue could be suspended for as long as 12 months if they gather five or more demerit points.