BGT: SCG pitch earns ICC approval amid criticism

The pitch for the fifth and final Test gets 'satisfactory' rating despite being a graveyard for batters

- TRIDIB BAPARNASH

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) pitch, used for the recent fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT), has managed to receive a 'satisfactory' rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) despite rolling out one of the spiciest wickets of this century.

The global cricket body has rated all other four BGT venues - Optus Stadium in Perth, Adelaide Oval, the Gabba in Brisbane, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) - 'very good'.

In 2023, the ICC revamped its pitch rating system, reducing it from six categories to four - very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory and unfit.

Confirming the ratings, Peter Roach, Cricket Australia's head of cricket operations and scheduling said, "We are delighted by the quality of pitches produced for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and grateful for all the hard work of the curators and venues across the country. We encourage pitches that bring out the unique characteristics of that venue and this has long been a feature of Australian cricket. We strongly believe that this is one of the reasons that Test cricket is so popular in Australia," he added.