Match referee gives Perth pitch best possible rating following the first Ashes Test between Australia and England.
Match referee and ICC hand down pitch rating for two-day Perth Test.
The ICC has rated the pitch for the two-day Ashes Test at Perth Stadium as the best.
In the official report from match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the surface was rated as “very good” despite producing 19 wickets on the first day and a result late on the second when Travis Head flayed 123 off 83 balls.
A surface with “good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match, allowing for a balanced contest between batters and bowlers” is considered “very good” under the ICC’s four-tier classification system.
With 847 deliveries, it was the shortest Ashes Test by balls bowled since 1888 and the second-shortest Test in Australia.
Although England had reached 160 for 5 until a late collapse before tea on the first day, pace bowling dominated the first three innings, with Mitchell Starc collecting 7 for 58. After that, Ben Stokes claimed five wickets as the visitors attack relentlessly reduced Australia to 123 for 9 in the end.
With nine wickets remaining on the second day, England had increased their lead to 105 before Scott Boland broke through the middle order.
After Head was elevated to begin the batting in lieu of the injured Usman Khawaja, Australia quickly reached their goal of 205 in just 29 overs. There were signs that the pitch was getting close to its ideal batting stage, much like what happened in the Test match against India last season.
“The match referee’s “very good” rating justifies our belief Perth Stadium produced a pitch that provided a fair balance between bat and ball,” James Allsopp, Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, said. “The dominance of some brilliant pace bowling from both sides and the frenetic nature of the contest meant the match lasted only two days.
“This was disappointing for fans holding tickets for days three and four, but we saw some incredible moments which captivated huge viewing audiences and will inspire even more kids to pick up a bat and ball this summer.”
“As always, we want to ensure pitches across Australia have their own characteristics and we’re looking forward to another enthralling contest under lights at the Gabba starting next Thursday.”