Indore surface rated poor, handed three demerit points

The surface used for the third Test between India and Australia in Indore has been rated 'poor' by the International Cricket Council on Friday (March 3).

Australia won the third Test by nine wickets inside seven sessions, with spinners taking 26 of the 31 wickets to fall. Matthew Kuhnemann took five wickets in the first innings, while Nathan Lyon claimed 11 wickets in the match.

The surface came under the scanner straightaway when India lost seven wickets in the first session on day one and were eventually bowled out for just 109. Australia managed to take an 88-run lead and then dismissed India for 163 in the second essay. The visitors needed 76 runs in the last innings and they got that with nine wickets to spare.

The Holkar Stadium has now received three demerit points as a result after ICC Match Referee Chris Broad submitted his report after consultation with both captains - Rohit Sharma and Steve Smith. The BCCI now have 14 days if they wish to appeal against the sanction. 

Speaking on the pitch, Chris Broad said: “The pitch, which was very dry, did not provide a balance between bat and ball, favouring spinners from the start.

"The fifth ball of the match broke through the pitch surface and continued to occasionally break the surface providing little or no seam movement and there was excessive and uneven bounce throughout the match.”

According to the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, a venue will be suspended from hosting any international cricket for a period of 12 months if it accumulates five or more demerit points over a five-year rolling period.