The Melbourne Cricket Club's bid to hold on to the Boxing Day Test has been boosted after the MCG was given an average rating by the International Cricket Council following India's 137-run win.
The ICC confirmed the rating on Tuesday, easing the fears of ground officials given it had been rated "poor" and handed three demerit points after last year's drawn Ashes snooze-fest.
The Boxing Day pitch got an 'average' rating from the ICC.Credit:AAP
A rating of average means the ground is not slugged any demerit points. A below average rating would have seen it handed one demerit point and a poor rating three points.
Under ICC rules, a venue loses international status if it tallies five demerit points over a rolling five-year period.
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The MCG had been under pressure after India batted for almost two days in their first innings on what appeared to be another lifeless deck. But the contest turned for the better on day three when foot marks began to appear and wickets began to fall.
That Indian Cheteshwar Pujara posted a century, fast bowlers Pat Cummins and Jasprit Bumrah each claimed five-wicket hauls and spinner Ravi Jadeja was a factor over the five days meant there was enough of an even contest between bat and ball for match referee Andy Pycroft to provide a friendly rating.
Despite this rating, the MCG pitches will undergo a major revamp under curator Matt Page.
He had worked diligently to improve the sand base and add moisture after the Ashes debacle but the venue is about to invest in up to four new pitches and greater technology.
The current wickets are about 15 years old but will continue to be used next season. It will take about three years for the new pitches to be grown.
The MCG rating comes after the new Perth stadium was also given an average rating, which surprised many, including Australian coach Justin Langer who thought it deserved a higher ranking.
Jon Pierik is a sports writer with The Age, focusing primarily on AFL football, cricket and basketball. He has won awards for his cricket and basketball writing.
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