Perth cricket pitch ICC rating, Sachin Tendulkar, Test cricket

December 23, 2018 5:37pm
by Staff writers
Source: FOX SPORTS

Australian players celebrate victory over India in Perth.Source: Getty Images

Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined a chorus of fellow Test greats in condemning the ICC’s rating for the Perth Stadium pitch.

Match referee Ranjan Madugalle gave the deck an “average” rating following the match, which Australia won on day five to square the series 1-1.

“Average” is the lowest pass mark able to be given to a Test pitch by the ICC.

But Madugalle’s judgment is at odds with the majority of players, former players, coaches, experts and punters alike, who have praised the deck which provided an even contest between bat and ball and returned all 40 wickets.

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At a time when there’s debate about reducing Test matches to four days, limited overs, and playing more day-nighters, the Perth match was thrilling every day and right to the end.

Tendulkar – one of the greatest batsmen to ever strap on a pad – wants to see more pitches like the Perth Stadium one, which he says could be the answer to saving Test cricket.

Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly TESTed. This pitch was by no means “Average”.

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 23, 2018

“Pitches play a crucial role, especially in Test cricket. In order to revive Test cricket and generate excitement, we need to provide more pitches like the one at Perth, where the skills of batsmen and bowlers are truly tested,” Tendulkar tweeted.

“This pitch was by no means ‘average’.”

Fellow former greats have piled on the ICC for the rating handed down to Perth.

Mitchell Johnson and Michael Vaughan are just two legends to throw their support behind the Perth deck.

Nothing wrong with it. It was exciting to watch a contest between bat and ball for a change and not these dull flat tracks being served up constantly. I’d actually be interested in knowing what a good pitch is? Hope for another exciting test at the MCG 🏏 https://t.co/Q1vOYm6AaB

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 21, 2018

I disagree, I’ve seen far worse & played on pitches similar to it. Do you want to see boring flat belters? I don’t. I want to see pitches that produce an exciting contest between bat and ball. Anything else you want to get off your chest?

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) December 21, 2018

And they wonder why Test Match cricket is struggling .. Was a tremendously exciting pitch which had a bit for everyone .. Should be more like this IMO .. https://t.co/c5jx99oQfO

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 21, 2018

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The opening round of SuperCoach Big Bash came and went in a flash.

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Ben Cutting blasted his way to the top of the point scoring charts with assistance from the double game, while the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Brendon McCullum failed to deliver for their owners.