India vs Australia: After Perth, MCG Pitch Also Rated 'Average' by ICC

Melbourne: The ICC has rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch used for the third Test between India and Australia as “average”, a very similar rating to the Perth Stadium track for the second Test. 

“The Melbourne Cricket Club’s bid to hold on to the Boxing Day Test has been boosted after the MCG was given an average rating by the International Cricket Council following India’s 137-run win,” said a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. 

As per reports, the ICC confirmed the rating on Tuesday, which was a marked improvement from the three demerit points that the pitch earned after last year’s drawn Ashes Test.

A rating of average means that the ground does not get demerit points from ICC. 

Under ICC rules, a venue loses international status if it tallies five demerit points over a rolling five-year period.

The MCG track initially came under scanner after it took India nearly two days to post 443 runs, with even Cheteshwar Pujara attributing their sedate batting to the nature of the track.

However when India bowled during the last three days, the track seemed to have come back to life with the Indian pacers accounting for 15 of the 20 Australian wickets.

“Despite this rating, the MCG pitches will undergo a major revamp under curator Matt Page. He had worked diligently to improve the sand base and add moisture after the Ashes debacle but the venue is about to invest in up to four new pitches and greater technology,” the Herald report added. 

The current pitches are about 15 years old but will continue to be used next season. It will take approximately three years for the new pitches to be grown.

The MCG rating comes after the new Perth stadium was also given an average rating, which surprised many, including Australian coach Justin Langer, who thought it deserved a higher ranking.