Pune Pitch Rated ‘Poor’ By ICC Match Referee

Australia thrashed India by 333 runs in the Pune Test.

ICC match referee Chris Broad has given a “poor” rating to the Pune pitch. (Photo: Reuters)

ICC match referee Chris Broad has given a "poor" rating to the pitch that was used in the first Test between India and Australia in Pune, which the visitors won by a massive 333 runs inside three days.

The report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which now has 14 days to respond, said the ICC in a statement.

“Broad, in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, submitted his report to the ICC, in which he expressed concern over the quality of the pitch,” read the statement.

The BCCI's response will be reviewed by ICC's General Manager (Cricket) Geoff Allardice as well as Ranjan Madugalle, a member of the elite panel of ICC match referees.

This is not the first time that an Indian pitch has attracted negative feedback from the match referee. In December 2015, the strip used for the third Test between India and South Africa in Nagpur was also rated poor.

Even on that occasion, the match ended within three days, with India winning it by 124 runs to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

On the Pune pitch, the ball turned from day one but the surface was certainly not unplayable, given that Australia managed to cross 250 in both the innings. India could not bat for 74 overs in the two innings combined.