Ashes 2025: Perth Pitch Gets 'Very Good' ICC Rating Despite Match Ending Inside Two Days

Ashes 2025: The pitch at the Optus Stadium, which hosted the first Ashes Test between England and Australia, received a 'very good' rating by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which is deemed the highest one in the grading system. Interestingly, the contest ended in two days with the hosts coming out on top. International Cricket Council's (ICC) highest rating of "very good" despite the first Ashes Test match between Australia and England ending in just two days.

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, referee Ranjan Madugalle termed the pitch as 'very good' in his official report. Notably. The pitch saw 19 wickets fall on the opening day as Australia clinched the match by eight wickets. Travis Head, in the second innings, played an excellent knock of 123 off 83 balls.

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Under the ICC's four-tier ratings system, "very good" describes a pitch with good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match. This creates a balanced contest between batters and bowlers.

Pace bowling dominated the first Ashes Test, with Mitchell Starc claiming 7 for 58 as England collapsed from 160 for 5 to 172 all out in the first innings. England skipper Ben Stokes led the charge for the visitors, taking five wickets to reduce Australia to 123 for 9 on Day 1.

On the second day, England had extended their lead to 105 with nine wickets in hand before Scott Boland cut through the middle order.

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England set a target of 205 for Australia, which the hosts raced to inside 29 overs after Travis Head was promoted to open the batting in place of the injured Usman Khawaja.

"This wicket, it kind of gets better, I think at the end of day two, it's probably at its best for the game late this evening ... we saw similar last year as well," Australia captain Steven Smith had said.

Inputs from Agency