What Rating Will Be Given to Mackay Pitch for AUS vs BAN 2nd Test? Explained

The Bangladesh Tour of Australia 2026 concluded with the second Test match ending on Day 2. After a humiliating loss to Australia in the first Test, they were eyeing a comeback in the second and last Test of the series. The AUS vs BAN 2nd Test started well for the hosts, who bowled out Bangladesh for 64 runs and went on to score 210 runs in the first innings.

Aussies again outplayed Bangladesh in the second innings by dismissing them for 95 runs and winning the match by an innings and 51 runs. The match concluded in the span of five sessions, making it the fourth-shortest Test match. This Test was the first-ever Test match at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, and the match ending in under two days raised questions around the Mackay Test pitch rating.

What Could Be Mackay Pitch Rating AUS vs BAN 2nd Test?

According to social media reports, the Mackay Pitch Rating for the AUS vs BAN 2nd Test is likely to receive “Very Good” from match referee Sir Richie Richardson. This is the highest possible grade a pitch can get after the assessment of several metrics and approval by the ICC. The “Very Good” rating of the pitch is often given when the pitch offers good carry, limited seam movement and overall a balanced surface.

Despite this, the five-day Test match got over in five sessions, with 18 wickets falling on Day 1; there were critics about the bad pitch, but it got backing from one of the best Test bowlers in the world, Mitchel Starc, as well as the pitch curator. Therefore, it is likely that the ICC pitch rating will be given “Very Good”, as has been reported.

Criteria for Pitch Rating By ICC

After almost every match, the ICC evaluates international pitches through its ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, where match referees assign ratings based on how the surface plays. There are currently four rating categories under which the ICC rates the pitch: ‘Very Good’, where the pitch offers good carry, limited seam movement, consistent bounce, and natural wear, followed by ‘Satisfactory', which includes previously acceptable standards, showing standard variations in carry, bounce, or spin without ruining the contest.

The last two categories are ‘Unsatisfactory’, where the pitch fails to provide a balanced contest between bat and ball, and the last one is ‘Unfit’, where the pitch is dangerous to players' safety.