The cricket world has been left surprised after the ICC rated the Perth Test pitch as “Very Good”, even though the Ashes opener between Australia and England ended within two days.
A total of 32 wickets fell in just 847 balls, making it one of the shortest Test matches ever played on Australian soil – still, the ICC had nothing negative to say about the surface.
What exactly happened in the Perth Test?
The first Ashes Test at Perth became historic for finishing faster than anyone expected.
- 19 wickets fell on Day 1 itself
- Australia were bowled out for 132
- England collapsed twice (172 & 164)
- Australia chased the target in style as Travis Head smashed 123 off 83 balls
Despite the rapid fall of wickets, match referee Ranjan Madugalle reported that the surface had “consistent bounce, fair movement and good balance between bat and ball.”
Why the ICC rating raised eyebrows
Fans and experts are questioning how a pitch that ended a Test in two days can be called “very good,” especially when Indian pitches – which often last three to five days – receive only “satisfactory” ratings.
The ICC four-tier pitch grading system is:
- Very Good
- Good
- Satisfactory
- Below Average
Perth got the highest grade, while recent Indian Test venues such as Ahmedabad and Delhi received only “Satisfactory”, even though those matches lasted much longer.
Is ICC using double standards?
In the last few years, Indian spin-friendly pitches have often been criticised as “difficult” or “poor,” even when matches show a balanced contest. But a pitch offering extreme pace, seam, and early collapses in Australia is suddenly being praised for “great balance.”
This has once again restarted the global debate:
Are spinning surfaces judged harshly, while fast-bowling tracks get lenient treatment?
Cricket Australia happy, but fans not convinced
Cricket Australia’s cricket chief James Allsopp welcomed ICC’s verdict, saying the pitch produced “quality fast bowling and exciting cricket.” But fans were disappointed because the match ended so quickly that Day 3 and Day 4 ticket holders lost out.
Still, the ICC believes the pitch was sporting, not dangerous.
All eyes now shift to the next Test at The Gabba (Brisbane), which starts on 4 December. The Gabba was itself rated “below average” in 2022-23 for a two-day Test — so expectations are high this time.
