The World Test Championship (WTC) was introduced by the ICC in 2019 to bring more context and competitiveness to Test cricket. Three full cycles have been completed, with the fourth edition currently underway. Specifically, the ICC tracks pitch and outfield ratings to assess the quality of playing conditions in Tests.
For each international match, match referees assess the quality of the pitch and outfield and report their findings to the ICC. As of November 2023, these conditions were classified using six different labels, ranging from Very Good to Unfit. The ICC later reduced them into four categories to make the ratings more consistent.
ICC pitch ratings reveal sharp differences in Test cricket
By the end of 2025, teams had played 224 Test matches across four World Test Championship cycles at 58 venues around the world. New Zealand won the first WTC title, followed by Australia and South Africa in the next two editions.
To make a fair comparison of pitch ratings, the old labels were aligned with the new system. Previously “good” and “average” ratings were considered “satisfactory”, while “below average” and “poor” were considered “unsatisfactory”.
During the 2025–26 Ashes, pitch ratings attracted attention. The Melbourne Cricket Ground surface for the fourth Test received an “unsatisfactory” rating. Notably, the match ended within two days, with 36 wickets falling and no batsman reaching a half-century.
This was also the second Test of the series which ended early. In contrast, Perth’s pitch earned a “very good” rating. 19 wickets fell on the first day and the match ended quicker than the MCG Test.
World Test Championship (WTC) pitch ratings by country
World Test Championship pitch ratings show clear differences between countries. New Zealand have received “very good” pitch ratings for 18 of the 22 WTC Tests they have hosted.
Australia has played 43.75 percent of its WTC Tests on “very good” pitches. England are second with 36.58 per cent, while India’s 32.25 per cent have given their home WTC Test a “very good” rating. Sri Lanka have only one “very good” pitch out of 18 home WTC Tests.
A total of 10 pitches at the WTC have been rated “unsatisfactory”. Australia, India and Pakistan have each hosted two such Test matches. No pitches in England or New Zealand received an “unsatisfactory” rating. No WTC pitch anywhere in the world has been given an “unfit” rating.
Which country has presented the best pitches in the WTC?
| Country | Matchbox | Very good | satisfactory | unsatisfactory | ineligible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 32 | 14 (43.75%) | 16 (50.00%) | 2 (6.25%) | 0 |
| India | 31 | 10 (32.25%) | 19 (61.29%) | 2 (6.45%) | 0 |
| new zealand | 22 | 18 (81.81%) | 4 (18.18%) | 0(0%) | 0 |
| England | 41 | 15 (36.58%) | 26 (63.41%) | 0(0%) | 0 |
| west indies | 21 | 5 (23.80%) | 15 (71.42%) | 1 (4.76%) | 0 |
| South Africa | 18 | 3 (16.67%) | 14 (77.77%) | 1 (5.55%) | 0 |
| Pakistan | 22 | 4 (18.18%) | 16 (72.72%) | 2 (9.09%) | 0 |
| Sri Lanka | 18 | 1 (5.55%) | 16 (88.88%) | 1 (5.55%) | 0 |
| bangladesh | 13 | 2 (15.38%) | 10 (76.92%) | 1 (7.69%) | 0 |
Also read: Australian squad announced for the fifth Test against England in The Ashes 2025-26; steve smith will lead
