Perth pitch rated 'average' for Test

The pitch used for the Perth Stadium's inaugural Test match, last week's second Domain Test between Australia and India, has received the lowest possible pass mark from the ICC.

It is understood match referee Ranjan Madugalle rated the pitch at the new Perth Stadium as 'average', which is the lowest pass mark provided by the ICC when they rate the pitch and outfield of Test grounds.

The ICC introduced a disciplinary system at the start of the year in a bid to improve the standard of pitches around the world and can provide six ratings – very good, good, average, below average, poor and unfit – when rating Test venues.

It is understood the Adelaide Oval pitch used in the first Domain Test received a 'very good' rating. 

Madugalle was responsible for the rating of 'poor' given to the MCG a year ago when Australia and England battled out a draw, while two of the past four Boxing Day Tests have also finished in a draw.

MCG curator Matt Page has been working hard to inject some life into the Melbourne deck and he had the covers on the pitch on Friday afternoon, with heavy showers hitting the area later in the day.

Further rain is forecast on Saturday before both teams get their first look at the pitch, which will shape Mitch Marsh's hopes of a recall, on Sunday.

Madugalle was in charge of the first half of the four-Test series between Australia and India, locked at 1-1, but Andy Pycroft will be match referee at the MCG and SCG.

The Perth verdict is presumably related to the uneven bounce that resulted in a couple of nasty blows. 

Aaron Finch retired hurt after his right glove was struck by a Mohammed Shami delivery, although he was cleared of any serious damage and returned to the crease the following day. 

There were no public complaints from either camp and broader commentary about the Perth wicket was almost entirely positive.

"Anyone who says there's anything wrong with that wicket, they must've been watching a different game," Australia coach Justin Langer said earlier this week.

India captain Virat Kohli noted before the match the pitch is "something we're very excited about".

Western Australian Cricket Association (WACA) chief Christina Matthews, speaking during the Test, described the pitch as "an outstanding success".

Domain Test Series v India

Dec 6-10: India won by 31 runs

Dec 14-18: Australia won by 146 runs

Dec 26-30: Third Test, MCG

Jan 3-7: Fourth Test, SCG

Australia squad: Tim Paine (c, wk), Josh Hazlewood (vc), Mitch Marsh (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Archie Schiller

India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Pandya, Hanuma Vihari, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Parthiv Patel (wk), Ravi Ashwin, Ravi Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar