The International Cricket Council has criticised the condition of the outfields at two major international grounds ©ICC

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has criticised the condition of the outfields at two major international grounds, describing Kingsmead in Durban and the Queen’s Oval in Port of Spain as “poor”.

The fourth Test between India and the West Indies at the Queen’s Oval and South Africa's first Test against New Zealand have both been abandoned this week as a result of the state of the outfields at the two venues.

Andy Pycroft and Ranjan Madugalle, who are on the ICC’s elite panel of match referees, have submitted their reports to world cricket’s governing body about the quality of the playing surfaces at the grounds.

Their reports have been forwarded to Cricket South Africa and the West Indies Cricket Board and the organisations have 14 days to respond, according to the ICC.

The two grounds are now likely to face sanctions of a warning and/or a fine of up to $15,000 (£11,000/€13,000), while the ICC will also ask them to implement a “directive for appropriate corrective action”.

If the facilities have similar issues within the next five years, they could then be ordered to pay up to $30,000 (£23,000/€27,000).

South Africa's first Test against New Zealand was abandoned earlier this week ©Getty Images
South Africa's first Test against New Zealand was abandoned earlier this week ©Getty Images

“The CSA’s response will be reviewed by ICC’s General Manager – Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Mr Madugalle, while Mr Allardice and David Boon, also from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, will assess the WICB’s reply,” an ICC statement read.

“Both the matters will be decided in accordance with Clause 4 of the process.”

South Africa’s clash with New Zealand was officially abandoned on Tuesday (August 23) following three consecutive days without play owing to wet weather in Durban.

The visitors were struggling at 19-2 in reply to the host’s first innings total of 263 when the match was declared as a draw.

Rain fell throughout the rest of the day and into Sunday (August 21) morning and further play was ruled out on the last three days because of the wet outfield and soft underfoot conditions.

India's Test with the West Indies in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago was also washed out on Tuesday.

Only 22 overs of play were possible, which came on the first morning, with umpires calling proceedings to a halt due to the poor outfield.

It meant Pakistan became the number one ranked Test team in the world as, although India won the four-match series 2-0, they are one point adrift of Pakistan's points total of 111 as a result of the drawn Test against the Caribbean side.