Match referee labelled Trent Bridge pitch as ‘Poor’

English Cricket authorities might face $US 15000 fine over ‘Poor’ Trent Bridge pitch. Australian match referee David Boon rated the Trent Bridge pitch as ‘Poor Pitch’ after the first test match played between England and India and resulted out a draw. During the first test, India scored 457 and 391-9 dec., while England managed to score 596. A last wicket 100 runs partnership was made by both the teams, with England Joe root and James Anderson putting on a test record 10^th wicket partnership of 198.

Boon had submitted his report to International Cricket Council (ICC) describing the quality of the pitch and shows his concern over the Trent Bridge pitch and the report is further submitted to England and Wales Cricket Board, which has 14 days to respond. ICC, is the first time that any test pitch in England is labelled as ‘Poor’ by a match referee.

Bearing the criticism, groundsman Steve Birks took the unusual step of issuing a public apology. Birks said, “We wanted to produce a pitch with pace, bounce and carry which hasn’t happened unfortunately. After the first test match, both captains said they wanted to play on more typically ‘English’ pitches during the rest of the five test series.

MS Dhoni said, “I always said that when you come to a country you want to play on a wicket that is the speciality of that country.” England skipper Alastair Cook said, “We just need a pitch with a bit of life in it.”