England vs India: Trent Bridge face fine as First Test pitch rated poor

Just 29 wickets fell across the almost uninterrupted five-day Test

Tom Collomosse
Saturday 19 July 2014 19:31 BST
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A general view shows the ground on the final day of the first cricket Test match between England and India at Trent Bridge
A general view shows the ground on the final day of the first cricket Test match between England and India at Trent Bridge (Getty Images)

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The dreadful pitch that denied England or India the chance to win the First Test has persuaded cricket’s rulers to investigate why it was so poor.

Nottinghamshire face an International Cricket Council fine after the surface, which contributed heavily to the draw, was deemed “poor” by match referee David Boon.

Notts and the England and Wales Cricket Board have two weeks to respond to the ICC’s ruling. If the ICC are not convinced by them, Notts are likely to be fined up to £9,000.

Nottinghamshire chief executive Lisa Pursehouse has already promised to “cooperate fully” with the process.

“We are naturally disappointed to have produced a pitch rated poor, which is at odds with our record of producing consistently good pitches for international matches at Trent Bridge,” Pursehouse said.

“The role of a Test Match Venue groundsman is fraught with immense pressure and variable factors and we are blessed to have one of the very best in Steve Birks.

“We will cooperate fully with this process and re-establish our enduring reputation for producing good cricket wickets.”

It is the first time an international pitch in the UK has been rated as “poor” since a new process for grading pitches was introduced by the ICC in 2010.

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