South Africa vs India 2023 Cricket News

'Saahi bola hain'- Fans react as Cricket Governing Body rates Cape Town pitch 'unsatisfactory' of 2nd Test SA vs IND

As a result of the rating, the venue received one penalty point. The demerit points are valid for a rolling five-year period, and if a venue accumulates six demerit points, it is banned from hosting any international cricket for 12 months. 

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Sarah Andrew
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Cricket Governing Body rates pitch

Cricket Governing Body rates Cape Town pitch 'unsatisfactory'

South Africa vs India Test series is over and the Men in Blue drew the series 1-1 after winning the 2nd Test match at the Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town. The Cricket Governing Body rated the Cape Town pitch ‘unsatisfactory’ after the second Test as the game got ended in 107 overs. The Test also happened to be the shortest ever in the history of the format, breaking a 92-year-old record set way back in 1932. 

As a result of the rating, the venue received one penalty point. The demerit points are valid for a rolling five-year period, and if a venue accumulates six demerit points, it is banned from hosting any international cricket for 12 months. The second Test, which India won, was over in two days, with both teams struggling to score runs due to the mediocre bounce.

On the first day, 23 wickets fell, with South Africa being bowled out for 55 and India scoring 153, losing their last six wickets for 0 runs. Then the hosts again lost three in the very same day. Match Referee Chris Broad in his report said that the pitch at Newlands was extremely tough for batting due to the unusual bounce throughout the course of the match.

The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on: Chris Board

Broad said, "The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on. The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots. Several batters were hit on the gloves and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce." 

Previously Rohit Sharma lashed on reporter about the pitch, "The pitch in Newlands was very difficult to bat on. The ball bounced quickly and sometimes alarmingly throughout the match, making it difficult to play shots. Several batters were hit on the gloves and many wickets also fell due to the awkward bounce."

"In India, when it turns on day one, people say ‘Oh, there is a puff of dust’. We need to stay neutral, especially match referees. I would love to see how the pitches are rated. I still can’t believe the (Cricket) World Cup final pitch (in Ahmedabad) was rated below standard. A player (Australia’s Travis Head) got a hundred there. They must rate pitches based on what they see, not based on countries."

Here's how fans reacted

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