Official warning for ‘unacceptable’ Trent Bridge Test pitch
Trent Bridge has been given an official warning by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for preparing an ‘unacceptable’ pitch for the first Test between England and India last month.
The pitch monitoring process of cricket’s governing body have taken action after the match in Nottingham produced a high-scoring draw.
The sanction took into account the West Bridgford venue’s history of producing good quality international pitches and that the monitoring of the pitch preparation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) before the Test was appropriate.
It was also considered and that there was a commitment by both the ECB and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club to relay the pitch ahead of the next international cricket season.
The ICC observed that the pitch ‘did not provide a fair contest between bat and ball throughout’ and concluded that the pitch prepared for the match was ‘of an unacceptable standard for Test cricket’.
The finding was made by the ICC’s general manager of cricket, Geoff Allardice, and the ICC’s chief match referee, Ranjan Madugalle.
That was after former Australia batsman David Boon, who was the match referee for the Trent Bridge Test, rated the pitch as “poor” at the conclusion of the five-day match.
Trent Bridge is to next host a Test when Australia return for the Ashes in August of next year.