The ICC match referee has rated the Sydney Cricket Ground as "satisfactory" after hosting India in the fifth and final Test of the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy. The pitch received enough criticism for its uneven bounce and lavish seam movement. Not only that, it witnessed the third-shortest ever Test by the number of balls delivered. Peter Roach, Cricket Australia's head of cricket operations and scheduling, has appreciated ICC's move. He clarified that he had no intentions to make a pitch that will aid the home team but will promote good Test cricket. Following ICC's rating, he said, "We don't look to prepare wickets that favour the home side or suit our situation in a series. What we seek is a good contest between bat and ball and pitches that are likely to produce a result. The SCG has been striving to bring out their unique characteristics of early pace and bounce before the pitch wears and spins. This year was a step in the right direction to achieving this, which provided an exciting finish to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series and bodes well for the Ashes summer in 2025-26." The pitch used a new variety of grass in the fifth Test. It was previously trialed during last summer's Sheffield Shield. Unlike others, it had 7 mm of grass, to which the commentators were heard saying that a cow can feed on it. Only two half-centuries were scored—one by the debutant Beau Webster and the other was the rampant 29-ball half century by Rishabh Pant. Read also: 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Record-Breaking Cricket Series Mixed opinions for SCG pitch Opinions about the surface varied. The Australian camp itself has different opinions. When the batter, Usman Khawaja, labeled it a "stinker," the bowling captain, Pat Cummins, appreciated its values towards the bowlers. From the Indian side, head coach Gautam Gambhir praised the pitch's balance, backing such adversities as a needful for growth in Test cricket. However, former Australia captain Michael Clarke was scathing in his criticism, calling it the "worst pitch" he had seen at the SCG. Clarke highlighted inconsistent bounce by the second day as a significant flaw. This marks the second consecutive season that the SCG has received a "satisfactory" rating, following similar feedback during the Pakistan Test last year. Peter Roach, CA's head of cricket operations, defended the pitch, stating it aimed to encourage an equal contest between bat and ball. How ICC rated each pitch of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy The ICC has revised its pitch rating system, introducing four grades: very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, and unfit. While the rest of the pitches got a "very good" rating, SCG has been left behind. ICC Rating for each pitch: Perth: Very good Adelaide: Very good Brisbane: Very good Melbourne: Very good Sydney: satisfactory