ICC aims for consistency with pitches

The ICC has laid out criteria for what an ideal Test match pitch should offer during a match in terms of bounce, carry, seam movement and turn and has put in place a process by which an erring Test centre would be penalised.

According to the ICC's parameters, the perfect pitch for Test cricket should have "good carry, limited seam movement and consistent bounce throughout, little or no turn on the first two days but natural wear sufficient to be responsive to spin later in the game."

Test pitches around the world would be categorised under the range "unfit" to "very good" and to this effect the ICC has adopted the first formal pitch-monitoring process, according to the ICC quarterly newsletter. If Test pitches are found to be "unfit" or poor", there will be sanctions ranging from "a formal warning to a fine for the home board or even suspension of international status for a venue that produces a substandard pitch."

Dave Richardson, ICC's general manager - cricket, said that the new policy was a necessary step towards ensuring good quality pitches. "In an ideal world all venues would produce excellent pitches that provided a fair balance between bat and ball."