SA vs IND, 2nd Test: ICC Deems Newlands Pitch ‘Unsatisfactory’, Slaps One Demerit Point

The ICC has issued an “unsatisfactory” rating and imposed one demerit point on the pitch at Newlands in Cape Town, which hosted the New Year’s Test between South Africa and India. Cricket South Africa has confirmed that it will not appeal the sanction, considering it a fair assessment of the playing surface.

The match, won by India with a seven-wicket victory, set a record as the shortest result Test in cricket history, concluding in less than five sessions and lasting only 642 balls. The game saw fast bowlers dominating, exploiting seam movement and uneven bounce, with no deliveries of spin from either team.

ICC match referee Chris Broad conferred with captains Dean Elgar and Rohit Sharma, both of whom expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch, leading to the “unsatisfactory” rating. Broad highlighted the challenges faced by batsmen, citing quick and at times unpredictable bounce, resulting in difficulties playing shots and numerous batters getting hit on the gloves.

According to the ICC’s monitoring process, pitches can be rated very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or unfit. An unsatisfactory rating carries one demerit point, while an unfit rating results in three demerit points. Demerit points are active for a rolling five-year period. If a venue accumulates six demerit points, it faces a 12-month suspension from hosting international cricket, and a 24-month suspension if it reaches a threshold of 12 demerit points.