England bowler Jofra Archer minced no words while expressing his displeasure with the pitch at the M.A. Chidamabaram Stadium in Chennai after the first Test which the visitors won by 227 runs.
Many criticised the pitch following the first Test as the flat surface gave no relief to batsmen after England scored a mammoth 578 in the first two days. Both sides struggled thereafter in the batting department. Rough patches on the surface helped spinners while pacers were left wanting.
Archer described the pitch as “probably the worst surface” he has seen.
“On the fifth day, it was probably the worst surface I’ve seen—its orange colour, bits missing, rough patches for the bowlers to aim at,” Archer wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “When we walked out in search of nine wickets on the fifth day, I was very hopeful we would complete the job although these India players have big reputations and are at home, so should be able to cope with conditions better than anyone. So, I didn’t expect us to skittle them. Equally, I didn’t expect it to finish not long after afternoon drinks.”
England won the Test match and are leading the four-match Test series 1-0.
“I’ve played in tournaments around the world, and had success, but winning a Test is one of those indescribable feelings, especially against a really good team. Nothing compares,” he added.
India skipper Virat Kohli also described the wicket as flat.
“Reality of situation is wicket was very flat and slow. I am not saying that it is an excuse we will hold onto as a team but reality of what went on. That was the case on the first two days.
“Even day three, after tea, is when the wicket really started to change and when you get big runs, even when wicket is flat, opposition is invariably put under pressure. Those are the dynamics you need to understand how the game moves.”
He also panned the quality of the SG Test balls used in the first Test. Kohli said that the balls went completely soft by the 60th over with stitches coming off their seam.
“Quality of the ball (SG-Test) was also not what we were very pleased to see as that was also the case in the past. Just the ball completely being destroyed in 60 overs is not something that you experience as a Test side and any side could be prepared for,” he added.
