The ICC has termed the Newlands pitch in Cape Town “unsatisfactory” after the low-scoring second Test between South Africa and India ended within two days.
The shortest ever Test match lasted only 642 balls after the Proteas were shot out for 55 in the first innings. Led by a superb 6-15 by Mohammed Siraj, India bowled out the home team for latter’s lowest Test score since 1932. The match wrapped up inside five sessions after India took a 98-run lead and then dismissed the hosts again, for 176, and chased down the target of 79 with ease in the end.
The match referee for the game, Chris Board deemed the pitch “unsatisfactory” under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
In his report, 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.”
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