Cricket: Trent Bridge pitch labelled "poor" by ICC

Trent Bridge Cricket Ground. Photo / Getty Images

English cricket authorities face the prospect of a US$15,000 (NZ$17,200) fine after Australian match referee David Boon's poor rating of the docile Trent Bridge pitch following last week's England-India drawn first test.

Boon's verdict, announced by the International Cricket Council on Sunday, is the first time a test pitch in England has been labelled as poor by a match referee.

The rating will undoubtedly add to the embarrassment felt by officials at Nottinghamshire over the sub-standard nature of their usually excellent wicket.

Boon, who played tests in England during the 1980s and '90s, oversaw proceedings at Trent Bridge where, almost from the start, there were complaints about an unusually dry and lifeless surface which frustrated the faster bowlers.

So severe was the criticism that groundsman Steve Birks took the unusual step of issuing a public apology.

The first time a pitch is rated as "poor" by the ICC, a warning and or fine not exceeding $US15,000 can be imposed, together with a directive for "appropriate corrective action".

However, such a judgement would not see a ground stripped of its right to stage international matches.

In response to the ICC's statement, the ECB said steps were already being taken to address the "uncharacteristic" nature of the pitch.

Prior to the match, exiled England batsman Kevin Pietersen argued that modern drainage systems had turned English test pitches into "sandpits".

However, the ECB's statement said: "It has already been established that the drainage system at Trent Bridge played no part in the unexpected issues that arose around the preparation and performance of the test match wicket."

During the first test, India made 457 and 9-391 declared, while England complied 596.

Both teams saw their last-wicket pairs involved in century stands, with England's Joe Root and James Anderson putting on a test record 10th-wicket partnership of 198.

For the ongoing second test at Lord's in London, it was noticeable the match was being played on a significantly greener and livelier pitch than the one at Trent Bridge.

- AAP