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Pune pitch rated as 'poor' by ICC match referee

Last updated on: February 28, 2017 18:23 IST

The punishment for a first "poor" rating for any venue ranges from warning to a maximum of $15,000 fine with a directive for appropriate corrective action.

IMAGE: India captain Virat Kohli inspects the pitch as umpire Richard Kettleborough looks on during the first Test in Pune. Photograph: BCCI

Pune's debut as a Test venue last week proved far from memorable with the pitch used for India's first Test against Australia incurring a "poor" rating from ICC match referee Chris Broad on Tuesday.

As if India's 333-run defeat inside three days was not bad enough for the hosts, the bone-dry track at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium fell foul of the Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process of the International Cricket Council.

The home side's ploy backfired as the tourists' spinners claimed 17 of the 20 Indian wickets to put them 1-0 up in the four-match series and snap India's 19-Test unbeaten streak.

"The report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India, which now has 14 days to provide its response," the ICC said in a media release on Tuesday.

An ICC team will review the response and study footage before ruling whether the pitch was substandard.

The punishment for a first "poor" rating for any venue ranges from warning to a maximum of $15,000 fine with a directive for appropriate corrective action.

The second Test between India and Australia will be played on a "sporting" pitch which will be fair to both teams, Karnataka State Cricket Associations officials have said.