Wanderers pitch rated ‘poor’

JOHANNESBURG: The Wanderers Stadium pitch used for the third Test between South Africa and India last week has been rated “poor” by match referee Andy Pycroft. The International Cricket Council announced on Tuesday that as a result of Pycroft’s rating, the Wanderers had received three demerit points. If the stadium gets two more demerit points during the next five years, the ground will be suspended from staging any international cricket for 12 months. Pycroft said in his report that the pitch “had excessively steep and unpredictable bounce and excessive seam movement”. Pycroft noted that the pitch deteriorated rapidly, “which made batting extremely difficult and hazardous, resulting in the medical staff from both the sides having to come onto the field multiple times to treat their batsmen”. The umpires, who were responsible for the safety of the players, halted the match shortly before the end of the third day when South African batsman Dean Elgar was struck on the grille of his helmet by a ball which lifted sharply. “In the end the umpires made the decision to continue and the Test reached its natural conclusion on day four. However, there was still excessive variable bounce and seam movement,” said Pycroft. — AFP