The International Cricket Council announced on Monday that the surface at Nagpur's Jamtha Stadium, which hosted the fourth India-South Africa Test match in November, had received an official warning. The ICC warning comes after the match referee Jeff Crowe had rated the pitch 'poor' in his assessment once play had ended.
In its release about the warning, the ICC maintained that they had taken consideration of the fact that there had been no concerns about the performance of the pitch after any of the other international matches played at the venue.
The pitch came under severe criticism after the match, played between November 25-27, was over within three days, with India winning by 124 runs and the spinners taking the majority of the wickets. Crowe's post-match analysis concluded that there had not been a fair contest between bat and ball. While former cricketers Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hayden disapproved of the surface, the Board of Control for Cricket in India defended the surface. No official complaint was lodged by the visiting South African team.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!