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International Cricket Council match referee, former West Indies captain Richie Richardson has given a ‘satisfactory’ rating to raging turning track for the first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match was played from Nov 14-16, which ended inside three days, with South Africa winning by 30 runs.
The pitch for the second and final Test of the series, at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati, received a ‘very good’ rating from the ICC. South Africa won that match by 408 runs to clinch the series 2-0 – their first series win in India in 25 years.
How does ICC rate pitches ?
The ICC deems a very good Test pitch to have good carry, limited seam movement, consistent bounce, an acceptable level of turn early in the game, and should demonstrate natural wear.
A satisfactory pitch has differing carry, bounce or spin throughout the Test.
However, a pitch that does not allow an even contest between bat and ball is deemed unsatisfactory. That means it either favours the batters too much, or overly favours the bowlers.
A pitch deemed to be dangerous because it compromise the safety of players, is graded as unfit.
In the Kolkata Test, South Africa was bowled out for 159 and 153 with the ball doing too much. There was unevenly bounce and plenty of help for both pacers and spinners. India were bowled out for 189 and 93 while chasing 124 on Day Three. South African captain Temba Bavuma scored the match only half-century, 55 not out off 136 balls in the second innings. Several balls bounced awkwardly or shot through a low and sharp right turn from Day One.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer starred with four wickets in each innings as India managed 189 and then made 93 in the second innings, trying to achieve the target of 124 runs. South Africa won the match by 30 runs, their first Test win against India since 2010. South Africa won the series 2-0.
