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ICC and BCCI follow a process to address pitch issues, says Shetty

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: Prof. Ratnakar Shetty, Chief Administrative Officer, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), told The Hindu that the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee follows a process of making his observations on Test matches and One-Day Internationals.

“He makes two separate observations on the pitch and other issues and should there be any unfavourable remark, the home Board addresses the issue accordingly,” Shetty said before leaving for Bangalore for BCCI’s special General Body Meeting on Thursday.

Match referee’s remarks

“Normally the match referee makes his remarks on the state of the pitch before the start of the match on details like grass cover and the nature of the outfield.

Then he notes the bounce/ variable bounce/ turn on a daily basis and at the end of the match makes his final observations.

“Should there be adverse remarks on the quality of the pitch, the referee’s report is referred to the BCCI’s Pitch & Ground Committee and also to the Tour Programme Committee which allots matches to the host associations.

“A member of the Pitch & Ground Committee monitors the preparation of the pitch,” Shetty said.

“If there are remarks on the Kanpur pitch or for the third Test between India and South Africa or on other issues, the BCCI will follow a process and address the issues properly.

No show-cause notice

The BCCI has not been served a show-cause notice as has been speculated.

“When the India and Australia Test ended in two-and-half days a few years ago, the match referee had remarked that in the interest of Test cricket and spectators, wickets should be prepared to last the full duration of a match,” Shetty added.

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