The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently graded all the four pitches used in the Test series between Australia and India. The governing body rated all the wickets between above average to very good.
In India’s historic Test series win where both the teams bowled more than 1333 overs, scored over 3900 runs, and scalped more than 130 wickets. The series saw some hard intensity cricket, two of the four Tests were gone into the last session of the last day.
The First Test which was played at the Adelaide Oval, where the visitors got bamboozled for 36, got a rating of ‘good-very good’ for both pitch and the outfield. Whereas, the MCG’s got rated ‘good’ for its pitch and ‘very good’ for the outfield. While the SCG elements have been rated ‘above average & very good’ and Gabba has ‘good-very good’ ratings.
While commenting on the praise, CA’s chief Earl Eddings said, “Cricket Australia’s objective has always been to ensure the surfaces provided for outstanding contests. We at the CA always strive to make sure that the pitches are good and provide for outstanding matches.”
The ICC receives a rating on the performance of the pitch and the outfield for every Test, ODI, and T20I from the match referee. The rating is then provided as feedback to the host board. If a pitch is marked substandard the home board is required to explain. A pitch is deemed to be substandard if it receives a rating of poor or unfit and then ICC puts the needed sanctions.