Ahmedabad pitch used for ODI WC final rated as "average" by ICC
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New Delhi: International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which hosted the ODI World Cup final between Australia and India on November 19, as "average".
ICC match referee Andy Pycroft, a former Zimbabwean batter, gave the outfield a "very good" rating.
Australia had won the World Cup final after beating India by six wickets on a pitch which was slow and sluggish, PTI reported.
Opting to bowl, India could score just 240 in 50 overs with Australia achieving the target in 43 overs, with opener Travis Head making a 120-ball 137.
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.
However, the Wankhede Stadium pitch on which India faced New Zealand in the semifinals received a ‘good’ rating. There were media reports ahead of that match, suggesting that the hosts had switched pitch, offering a used surface instead of a fresh one.
The ICC also gave an "average" rating to the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata which hosted the second semifinal between Australia and South Africa.
It 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.
ICC match referee and former India pacer Javagal Srinath, however, gave a "very good" rating to the outfield at Eden Gardens.