ICC Rates Ahmedabad Pitch For World Cup Final 'Average'

image-lpwcbqfvThe surface in Ahmedabad played overly dry (AP Photo)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given an "average" rating to the surface used for the ICC World Cup 2023 final in Ahmedabad on November 19 between India and Australia. The excessively dry pitch which became a batters' paradise once dew flattened the dents fell below the mark as far as ICC match referees are concerned. 

The track offered the bowlers alarming grip and turn in the afternoon apart from consistent uneven bounce, which significantly curtailed the run-scoring for the side batting first - in this case, India - before transforming into a flat-bed of a deck amidst under lights dew for the Australians to easily chase down the hosts' 240 all out. 

Match referee Andy Pycroft found the surface falling below the standards expected for such a big face-off and gave it an "average" rating on ICC counts, which would be a blot on Ahmedabad stadium and its pitch curation team. 


ICC Gives 'Average' Rating To World Cup Semifinal Pitch In Kolkata 

The other of the marquee knock-out fixtures played at the business end of the ICC World Cup 2023 that ended with an "average" rating to its playing surface was the second semifinal played at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata between Australia and South Africa. 

The rain played its part in spicing up a dry turning square where batting was a treacherous job throughout the game. The South Africans capitulated under hostile conditions for 212 all out before the Australians stuttered along and could only inch ahead of the opposition at seven wickets down in the 48th over. 

The rating was given by former India pacer and fourth umpire Javagal Srinath on this occasion. Ironically, the surface used for the first semifinal between India and New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which was at the center of a pre-match controversy, got a "good" rating from the ICC. 

A total of five matches played by Team India during their run in the World Cup 2023 had the surface ending with an average rating, including also the opening match against Australia and other league fixtures versus Pakistan, South Africa and England.