SCG deemed 'satisfactory' as ICC reveal pitch ratings for all five BGT 2024-25 venues

The International Cricket Council (ICC) have revealed the pitch ratings for all five venues that hosted the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Tests. The surface at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which hosted the fifth and final match, has been deemed 'satisfactory.'

The pitch rating for the venues of the first four fixtures - the Optus Stadium in Perth, the Adelaide Oval, Brisbane's Gabba, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground -have been deemed 'very good' by the game's governing body.

The four available pitch ratings are 'very good,' 'satisfactory,' 'unsatisfactory,' and 'unfit.' Venues receive demerit points if they have 'unsatisfactory' or 'unfit' ratings.

There were concerns about the nature of the Sydney wicket as the fixture ended in just the second session of the third day. While the pink-ball Test match in Adelaide was also completed in under three days, the series opener in Perth finished on Day 4. The Brisbane Test and the Boxing Day clash in Melbourne went all the way to the final day.

After losing the opening encounter in Perth by a massive 295-run margin, Australia bounced back to register a 10-wicket victory in the pink-ball game at the Adelaide Oval. After the rain-marred third Test at the Gabba ended in a draw, Pat Cummins' men took a 2-1 lead in the series by registering a 184-run win in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. They won in Sydney by six wickets.

Australia clinch the 2024-25 BGT 3-1 to ensure their World Test Championship final spot

The hosts clinched the five-match BGT Test series 3-1 after winning the final game in Sydney by six wickets, as they chased down the target of 162 runs in 27 overs at the loss of four wickets. Scott Boland was adjudged Player of the Match for picking up 10 wickets across two innings.

India's stand-in skipper and the leading wicket-taker of the 2024-25 BGT, Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Series for his impressive bowling performance. The 31-year-old finished with 32 scalps to his name which included one six-wicket haul and two five-wicket hauls.

With this win, Australia qualified for the 2025 World Test Championship final which is all set to be played from June 11-15 at the Lord's Cricket Ground in London. The Aussies will look to defend their World Test Championship title when they take on South Africa in the summit clash.