ICC rates SCG pitch as ‘satisfactory’

ICC Rates SCG Pitch as 'Satisfactory'

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch, used for the recent fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, has received a 'Satisfactory' rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

ICC Pitch Ratings

• SCG: Satisfactory
• Optus Stadium (Perth): Very Good
• Adelaide Oval: Very Good
• The Gabba (Brisbane): Very Good
• Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG): Very Good

Cricket Australia's Statement

"The SCG has been striving to bring out their unique characteristics of early pace and bounce before the pitch wears and spins. This year was a step in the right direction to achieving this which provided an exciting finish to the Border Gavaskar Trophy series and bodes well for the Ashes summer in 2025-26."

Player Reactions

• Sunil Gavaskar: Criticized the pitch, stating it was not ideal for a Test match.
• Glenn McGrath: Said he'd never seen so much grass on a SCG pitch.
• Usman Khawaja: Called the pitch a "stinker" and said it was tough to bat on.
• Steve Smith: Said it was the toughest pitch he's seen in Sydney, describing it as two-paced, up and down, seaming all over the place, and swinging.