NEW DELHI: The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad which hosted the ODI World Cup final between India and Australia on November 19 has been rated “average” by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
ICC match referee and former Zimbabwe batter Andy Pycroft, however, rated the outfield as “very good”, PTI reports.
Australia had won the World Cup final after beating India by six wickets on a pitch which was slow and sluggish.
The pitches used in India’s league matches against South Africa, England, Pakistan and Australia in Kolkata, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Chennai respectively were also rated as ‘average’ by the ICC, the newswire further reports .
However, the Wankhede Stadium pitch on which India faced New Zealand in the semifinals received a ‘good’ rating. It bears noting that ahead of that match, the hosts had switched pitches, offering a used surface instead of a fresh one. A similar strategy of opting for a used surface at the Narendra Modi Stadium spectacularly backfired for the hosts.
The ICC also gave an “average” rating to the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata which hosted the second semi-final between Australia and South Africa. ICC match referee and former India pacer Javagal Srinath, however, gave a “very good” rating to the outfield at Eden Gardens.
The second semi-final turned out to be a low-scoring match where Australia dismissed South Africa for 212 in 49.4 overs. Australia then managed to overhaul the target in 47.2 overs, losing seven wickets.
