The International Cricket Council has delivered a surprising verdict on the Perth pitch used for the first Ashes Test, rating it 'very good' despite England's dramatic batting collapse that saw the match conclude in just two days.
Official Pitch Rating Defies Expectations
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle's official report praised the surface at Perth Stadium, describing it as having good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match. This assessment directly contradicted local media descriptions of the 22-yard strip as a 'green monster' and placed responsibility for the batting struggles squarely on the players rather than the pitch conditions.
England suffered a humiliating defeat, losing all 20 wickets in just 67.3 overs during the series opener. This marked the first two-day finish between the historic rivals in 104 years, with opener Zak Crawley recording ducks in both innings and the team accumulating 11 single-figure dismissals.
Financial Fallout and Australian Response
The abbreviated match proved costly for Cricket Australia, which suffered significant financial losses from unused tickets and matchday revenue. Enormous quantities of prepared food intended for spectators were donated to local charities in Western Australia.
Cricket Australia's chief of cricket James Allsopp defended the pitch quality, stating: 'The match referee's 'very good' rating justifies our belief Perth Stadium produced a pitch that provided a fair balance between bat and ball.' He acknowledged the disappointment for fans holding tickets for days three and four but highlighted the brilliant pace bowling from both sides that created a frenetic contest.
England's Brisbane Recovery Mission
Meanwhile, England's squad has flown from Perth to Brisbane to begin preparations for the crucial day/night second Test beginning next Thursday. The team has scheduled an intensive training regimen, including four sessions at the Test venue and an additional optional workout at Allan Border Field.
This decision comes after management faced criticism for declining to send first-choice players for a pink ball warm-up in Canberra. Instead, players Jacob Bethell, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts will join the England Lions group while the main squad focuses on five days of concentrated training in Brisbane.
Captain Ben Stokes offered a brief comment to reporters, stating: 'We're thinking about what we need to do in Brisbane, mate. We're preparing as best we can and we're look forward to the next game.' Former captain Joe Root echoed this focused approach as the team looks to bounce back from their bruising defeat in Perth.
