Much of the talk in the cricketing fraternity recently has been dominated by the controversy surrounding the pitch ratings, with the Newlands pitch becoming the latest surface to receive an 'unsatisfactory' rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The second Test match between South Africa and India, which began on January 3 at the Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town, finished within five sessions, or two days, becoming the shortest Test match in cricket history. India won the game by seven wickets in a game which saw just 107 overs being bowled.
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The ICC has classified the pitch at Newlands as 'unsatisfactory' after evaluating the wicket using the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
But how exactly are the pitches examined and given ratings? What is the basis of the conclusions? What are the repercussions of a pitch receiving 'unsatisfactory' ratings? The Sporting News answers those questions for you.
MORE: Rohit Sharma slams critics of Indian pitches following Cape Town Test
What are the different pitch ratings given by ICC?
The different pitch ratings given by ICC to a particular pitch following assessment are as follows:
- Very good
- Average / satisfactory
- Below average / unsatisfactory
- Unfit
Launched in 2006, the ICC's Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process underwent a change in January 2018 to better represent the diversity of pitch conditions around the world, hold member boards more accountable for the pitches they create, and increase transparency in pitch assessment.
Per ICC, a pitch is given a 'very good' rating if it has "good carry, limited seam movement and consistent good bounce early in the match and as the pitch wears as the match progresses, with an acceptable amount of turn on the first two days but natural wear sufficient to be responsive to spin later in the game.”
Meanwhile, a pitch is deemed 'poor' or 'unfit' if:
- The pitch offers excessive seam movement at any stage of the match.
- The pitch displays excessive uneven bounce.
- The pitch offers excessive assistance to spinners, especially early on.
- The pitch deprives bowlers of any seam movement or spin at any stage of the match, resulting in a one-sided contest towards the batters.
MORE: AB de Villiers backs Cape Town pitch after Rohit Sharma's rant against ICC
What does an 'unsatisfactory' pitch rating mean?
Match referee Chris Broad was informed by the captains, Dean Elgar and Rohit Sharma, that they were not happy with the surface at Newlands and considered it subpar.
"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," Broad mentioned in his report.
According to Wisden, an pitch will be declared 'unsatisfactory' if:
“A pitch that does not allow an even contest between bat and ball:
- Either by favouring the batters too much, with minimal wicket-taking opportunities for both seam and spin, or
- By favouring the bowlers too much, with too many wicket-taking opportunities for either seam or spin.”
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What are the penalties if a pitch is deemed 'unsatisfactory' or 'unfit'?
As per ICC regulations, a pitch will be allocated a particular amount of demerit points if it's deemed as 'unsatisfactory' or even worse, 'unfit'.
One demerit point will be awarded to venues whose pitches and outfields are rated by the match referee as unsatisfactory, while three demerit points will be awarded to venues whose pitches and outfields are marked as unfit. Demerit points will remain active for a rolling five-year period.
When a venue accumulates six demerit points (or crosses that threshold), it will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for 12 months, while a venue will be suspended from staging any international cricket for 24 months when it reaches the threshold of 12 demerit points.
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