The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) will take action against teams that doctor pitches in the upcoming first division league beginning on July 7.
In what will be a drastic move, the umpires — if they find the pitch unfit for play in the first session of the opening day — can shift the game to another track on the same ground. There will be a re-toss, but the eleven will remain the same.
According to reliable sources, if the second pitch too is under-prepared, the match will be awarded to the visiting side. The umpires will then submit a report to the TNCA about the quality of the tracks and, if found guilty, a team can be penalised.
ADVERTISEMENT
Teams will now have to prepare two surfaces for every game. The umpires will have a look at the tracks a day before the match and the home side will have to identify two wickets for the duel.
The pitch will be inspected by the umpires by 8.30 a.m. on the first morning of the match — even if inclement weather delays the start of the contest to the second or the third day.