Mumbai, Apr 16 (UNI) The International Cricket Council (ICC) has shot off a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), seeking an explanation on the Kanpur wicket used for the third Test between India and South Africa, which saw the hosts score a win, within three days.

The ICC took this step after Match Referee Roshan Mahanama gave a thumbs-down to the Kanpur dustbowl in his match report.

Yawning cracks and uneven bounce made life difficult for the batsmen on the track, prompting Mahanama to submit an unflattering report to the ICC.

Reacting to Mahanama's report, the ICC sent a letter to the BCCI, seeking an explanation.

''A letter has been sent to the BCCI. The process was initiated by Match Referee Roshan Mahanama and ICC sent a letter to the BCCI after getting his report. We are awaiting a reply,'' ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said here today.

BCCI Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty, however, sought to downplay the event and refused to call it a notice from the ICC.

''It's a normal process where the Match Referee submits a pitch report to the ICC at the end of the match, a copy of which is also given to the Board,'' he said.

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