Third Test pitch given ‘poor’ rating by match referee after dustbowl fiasco

The extraordinary surface for the third Test in Indore has been slammed by the ICC, and it could lead to dire consequences.

The pitch produced by the BCCI for the third Test in Indore has been slammed as “poor”, and handed three demerit points by match referee Chris Broad after Australia cleaned up India by 9 wickets inside three days.

The ICC’s pitch and monitoring process gives venues demerit points for pitches rated below average, on a scale that also includes “poor” and “unfit” ratings.

Where a venue accumulates five demerit points, it is suspended for hosting any international cricket for a period of 12 months.

The BCCI are able to appeal the sanction within 14 days.

“The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start,” Broad said.

“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,” he said.

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The stunning result was Australia’s first Test win in India since 2017, and secures qualification for the World Test Championship final.

Poor ratings are relatively rare, with the last Test pitch to be rated poor the Wanderers surface in Johannesburg for a Test between South Africa and India in January 2018.

The pitch was always concerning for skipper Steve Smith. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Boxing Day Test surface in 2017 was also rated poor, with only four wickets falling across the entire Test and a then-out-of-form Alistair Cook racking up a marathon 244.

Indian curators typically have a closer relationship with governing boards than curators do in Australia, and the hosts have been clear about their intention to prepare spinning wickets.

The ball has shot, spun and spat from all angles over the course of the tour, with dramatic batting collapses as a result, and the spin-averse Australians being on the receiving end more often than not.

In Indore however, the relationship between curator and team fell apart, seen on day one when India coach Rahul Dravid was seen having a stern conversation with the curator after his side was skittled for 109 on day one.

Rahul Dravid in the middle with the curator at lunch - doesn’t look best pleased. #INDvAUSpic.twitter.com/dGla1ZmLug

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) March 1, 2023

The ten-day break between the second and third Test, as tumultuous as it was for Australia, saw the tourists readjust to subcontinental conditions for one of their most famous victories ever, with Nathan Lyon dominating after a career of struggle on the subcontinent.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma was subsequently reticent to acknowledge the impact of the surface after the Test, saying the “pitch talk (was) getting too much”.

“We focus on the pitch too much here in India and I don’t feel it’s necessary,” he said.

“Former cricketers, I don’t think they played on pitches like this.

“These are the kinds of pitches we want to play on, this is our strength.

“When you’re playing at your home, always play to your strength.

“Not worry what people outside are talking about.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith was all smiles after Australia’s historic victory in Indore. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

“Our strength is spin bowling and batting depth.

“Everyone uses that advantage as home side, so what’s wrong with that?

“We’ve got to do that as well.”

The pitch in Indore was slammed from day one, with Fox Cricket expert Mark Waugh saying it wasn’t up to Test standard.

The win gives Australia a chance to level the series in the 130,000 seater Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in front of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.