Before the World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and Australia, people have talked about how green the Oval pitch is. But it has come to light that the International Cricket Council (ICC) has prepared not one but two pitches for the one-time match, which is set to start on Wednesday (June 7). The International Criminal Court (ICC) is taking this careful step not for any unknown or controversial reason, but as a back-up plan in case something goes wrong.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is being extra careful by preparing two pitches because of the current oil protest and other problems in London. The world body is worried about possible break-ins at the South London ground, so it wants to be ready for anything. Along with these changes, the ICC has also made changes to the playing conditions. One of these is a new clause (6.4) that covers the rare case of damage to the pitch before or during the Test. Both teams have been told about this possible, but unlikely, threat, and extra security steps are being put in place for the game.
Even though it’s not obvious, everyone involved in the game knows about the backup plan, which is often called “Plan B.” Due to how sensitive the situation is, the officials don’t want to say anything.
A person close to the situation, on the other hand, said that extra care was being taken because it was a one-game championship final. A local person with knowledge of the situation said, “We’re getting ready for everything to make sure the final has a clear winner.” Here are the important parts of the new sentence.
Change the pitch (clause 6.4)
6.4.1: If the judges on the field decide that it is unsafe or unfair to play on the match pitch, they must stop the game and tell the ICC match referee right away.
6.4.2: The umpires on the field and the ICC match referee will talk to the managers of both teams.
6.4.3: The game will start again if both leaders agree to do so.
6.4.4: If it is decided not to play again, the judges on the field will talk to the ICC match referee to figure out if the pitch can be fixed and the game can start from where it was stopped. Given that play had already taken place on the dangerous pitch, the ICC match judge must decide if this repair would unfairly help one team over the other.
6.4.5: If the existing pitch can’t be fixed, the ICC match referee will work with the ICC to find ways for the match to continue on another pitch at the same venue, as long as the ICC is happy that the new pitch meets the required Test standard.
6.4.6: If it is not possible to continue the match on another pitch at the same venue on any planned day of the match (including the reserve day), the match will be called off (no result).
6.4.7: The ICC match referee will keep both captains and the head of the ground authority aware during all of the above decision-making steps. The head of the ground authority will make sure that public announcements are made when and how they should be.
