ICC hands ‘very good’ rating to Perth pitch despite two-day first Test in Ashes 2025-26

The ICC has rated the pitch for the two-day Ashes Test at Perth Stadium as the best. 

In the official report from match referee Ranjan Madugalle, the surface was rated as "very good" despite producing 19 wickets on the first day and a result late on the second when Travis Head flayed 123 off 83 balls.

A surface with "good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match, allowing for a balanced contest between batters and bowlers" is considered "very good" under the ICC's four-tier classification system.

With 847 deliveries, it was the shortest Ashes Test by balls bowled since 1888 and the second-shortest Test in Australia. 

Although England had reached 160 for 5 until a late collapse before tea on the first day, pace bowling dominated the first three innings, with Mitchell Starc collecting 7 for 58. After that, Ben Stokes claimed five wickets as the visitors attack relentlessly reduced Australia to 123 for 9 in the end.

After Head was elevated to begin the batting in lieu of the injured Usman Khawaja, Australia quickly reached their goal of 205 in just 29 overs.

"The match referee's "very good" rating justifies our belief Perth Stadium produced a pitch that provided a fair balance between bat and ball. The dominance of some brilliant pace bowling from both sides and the frenetic nature of the contest meant the match lasted only two days.

This was disappointing for fans holding tickets for days three and four, but we saw some incredible moments which captivated huge viewing audiences and will inspire even more kids to pick up a bat and ball this summer,” James Allsopp, Cricket Australia's chief of cricket, said.

"As always, we want to ensure pitches across Australia have their own characteristics and we're looking forward to another enthralling contest under lights at the Gabba starting next Thursday,” he added.

The second Test of the Ashes 2025-26 will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane which will be a day-night Test under lights. When too much grass was left on the pitch during a two-day Test match against South Africa in 2022–2023, the Gabba was classified "below average" under the ICC's old ratings system, earning the venue a penalty point.

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