Sports
ICC World Test Championship
Amid threat from oil protesters to vandalise the pitch and ground during the World Test Championship (WTC) final match, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has reportedly prepared two pitches for the match.
Security at Kennington Oval cricket ground has also been heightened due to the threat.
Further, the ICC has modified section 6.4 of Playing Condition rule making an alternative pitch, ANI reported citing ICC sources.
In case of any damage to the pitch, a thorough assessment will be conducted to determine its condition for further play. If it's deemed good enough, the game will continue on the same pitch.
However, if it's not suitable for play, an evaluation of other pitch conditions will be carried out to decide whether they can shift to another.
The captains of both the teams, Rohit Sharma and Pat Cummins, have reportedly been taken into confidence.
Depending on the unfolding circumstances, specific sections will play an important role during the WTC 2023 final.
If the on-field umpires find the match pitch unsafe or unreasonable, they will stop the game and notify the ICC match referee under 6.4.1.
According to the rules 6.4.4, if the decision is made to not continue the game, the on-field umpires will evaluate if the pitch can be repaired and if the match can resume from where it stopped. This decision will be made in consultation with the ICC match referee.
However, the ICC match referee must also ensure that any pitch repair doesn't confer an unfair advantage to either team, considering the gameplay that has already occurred on the potentially hazardous pitch.
ICC match referee will inform captains and head of ground authority during decision-making under 6.4.7. The head of ground authority will make timely public announcements as required.
The WTC final will begin at 3 pm Indian Standard Time (IST) from 7 June till 11 June at the Oval, London, with a reserved day in case of problematic weather.