India vs England: David Lloyd questions ICC for giving 'average' rating to Ahmedabad pitch for 3rd Test

Veteran commentator David Lloyd has questioned the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the apex body rated the Ahmedabad pitch for the third Test between India and England as ‘average’. The ICC’s much-anticipated verdict came on Sunday after the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium invited criticism from several quarters.

The game lasted less than two days as India thrashed England by ten wickets to take the lead in the series before going on to win the series 3-1. A total of only 842 balls were bowled during the game which became the shortest completed Test after the second World War. No team could touch the 150-run mark in the first three completed innings as 30 wickets fell in just over a day.

England were all out for just 112 in the first innings before bowling out India for 145. In the second innings, the visitors’ performance was worse as they were all out for just 81. Set a target of 49, India chased it down with utmost ease. But following the game, several former England cricketers including Lloyd, Michael Vaughan, Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook had lashed out at the pitch.

David Lloyd questions ICC:

David Lloyd was very vocal in his criticism for the pitch. The former England cricketer was not wasting a single opportunity to take a shot at the playing conditions while India were making light work of England on the field. And he expressed his displeasure once again on Tuesday when ICC delivered their verdict on the pitch.

In his first tweet, Lloyd mocked the decision by posting a series of laughing emojis before questioning the governing body of the game. He asked the ICC whether it would be fine if pitches around the world disintegrate right from ball one, tweeting:

“One big question for @ICC. If that is an ‘average’ pitch is it ok for all pitches around the world to be just like that with a disintegrated surface from ball one? I don’t expect an answer, by the way.”

England and India are currently playing the five-match T20I series. The series is locked at 1-1 after the first two games. Following the completion of the T20Is, both the teams will play three ODIs before players from both the teams take part in IPL 2021.