BCCI reply to ICC with strong words about Nagpur Pitch

BCCI (Board of Council for Cricket in India) has given a strongly-worded reply to the ICC over the issue of Nagpur pitch.

ICC had asked the BCCI to reply about the Nagpur pitch within 14 days after it was termed “poor” by the ICC.

A board official told DNA, “The assessment of Nagpur pitch as “poor” was totally incorrect. The Board has strongly contested Jeff Crowe’s report.”

BCCI replied in written, “There are different types of wickets – a batting wicket, a seaming wicket and a spinning wicket. If the spinners are able to turn the ball on the first day of the Test, then how could the pitch be termed poor.”

The official further added, “There is a perception that a contest between ball and bat can come only on a seaming wicket. Spinners can also have a contest with the batsmen in cricket.”

Before this, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur had also defended this pitch.

The third Test of four-Test match series between India vs South Africa was held in Jamtha, Nagpur which started on 25^th November. The match ended within 3 days with no batsmen reaching the fifty-run mark. The highest individual score was 40 by Murali Vijay in that match. The pitch was considered poor by match referee Jeff Crowe.

For this poor pitch, BCCI may be fined up to 9,950 pounds.

BCCI has asked the ICC to observe all of the 40 wickets fell in that Test.

The official elaborated this, “Excessive turn is a matter of perception. The batsmen found it difficult not due to the wicket but due to poor technique and temperament. Not a single ball displayed excessive unevenness of bounce. Then, how can it be termed a poor pitch?”

The BCCI gave an example of the 3^rd Test between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide, which was inaugural day-night Test. He said, “Adelaide game too ended inside three days. Most of the wickets there were taken by seamers. Can that pitch then be termed ‘poor’ for offering excessive seam movement?”

ICC’s cricket general manager Geoff Allardice and chief match referee Ranjan Madugalle will now go through all evidence to decide whether the pitch was “poor” or not!