Pune pitch rated poor by match referee Chris Broad

Dubai Feb 28 (IANS) Chris Broad who was the match referee for the first Test between India and Australia at Pune has rated the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) stadium pitch as poor the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Tuesday.

The first Test match of the four-match series finished inside three days with Australia claiming a 333-run victory as left-arm spinner Steve O Keefe took six wickets in each innings.

Broad in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process submitted his report to the ICC in which he expressed concern over the quality of the pitch ICC said in an official release.

The report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India which now has 14 days to provide its response it added.

The BCCI s response will then be reviewed by ICC s General Manager Geoff Allardice and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees.

--IANS
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