The opening Ashes match in Perth ended in just two days, yet the ICC surprised many by giving the pitch a top grade. This decision has started a wide discussion, especially as the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating has quickly become a talking point among fans and experts.
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ICC Defends ‘Very Good’ Grade for Perth Surface
The 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating has shocked many followers of the game because the Test finished in only 847 balls, making it the quickest Ashes match in more than a century. Still, under the ICC’s strict standards, “very good” is the highest score a surface can receive. Match referee Andy Pycroft explained that the pitch had good bounce, fair carry, and enough balance between bat and ball to justify the top rating.
England were bowled out for 172 on the first day, with Mitchell Starc delivering a brilliant spell of 7-58. However, Australia found themselves in trouble too, collapsing to 121/9 by stumps. The fast-moving nature of the game did not stop the ICC from awarding the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating, which has now sparked comparisons with other recent Test surfaces.
Day two continued at the same high speed, with 13 more wickets falling and Travis Head smashing 123 to lead Australia to an eight-wicket win. Starc ended with match figures of 10-113, but even his dominance did not change the ICC’s view. The organisation insisted that the quick finish was influenced mostly by attacking batting styles rather than poor pitch quality, supporting their decision behind the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating.
This ruling drew attention in India because it came just after their three-day loss to South Africa in Kolkata. The Eden Gardens pitch — where India were bowled out for 93 during a small chase — is still waiting for an official evaluation. Still, the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating has already become a major reference point in the global discussion on pitch standards.
Players React as Debate on Surfaces Grows
Players from both sides shared different views on the pitch, adding more layers to the ongoing debate about the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating. Mitchell Starc said the fast scoring and frequent wickets had more to do with bold batting. England captain Ben Stokes agreed the pitch “offered a lot,” but he believed it rewarded any batter willing to trust their shots and stay positive. Their views added momentum to discussions surrounding the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating and how aggressive cricket shapes Test matches today.
Australian batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne noted that the surface actually improved later on day two, which further justified the ICC’s stand. Their comments supported the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating, suggesting the wicket gave every player a fair chance.
Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, James Allsopp, welcomed the ICC’s decision, saying that the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating confirmed their belief that the Perth surface produced a fair contest. He admitted that fans missed out on days three and four, but he added that the match still delivered top-quality moments that caught the attention of huge audiences.
With the team carrying confidence into the next match at the Gabba, the buzz around the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating is expected to continue. As cricket fans debate what makes a fair pitch and whether batters need to adapt better, the 2-Day Ashes Test Pitch Rating now stands as a major example of how modern Test cricket is changing.
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source: The Indian Express
