ICC Pitch Ratings for India vs England Test Series Yield Surprise Results

The Anderson Tendulkar Trophy series between India and England will be one of the most exciting and fiercely contested Test series in recent memory. Each and every match went to the last day on the fifth day keeping the audience glued to TV screens till the eleventh hour. The series finally ended in a 2-2 deadlock after India won a nail biting last Test at the Kennington Oval by a mere six runs. Although the battle between bat and ball was hard fought and levelled the International Cricket Council's rating for the pitches has taken many fans of the game by surprise.

In all five Test matches only the Headingley pitch at Leeds was given a very good rating by the ICC. Surfaces at Edgbaston in Birmingham, Lord's in London and Old Trafford in Manchester were all graded as satisfactory. Pitch rating for the Kennington Oval Test has not yet come out. For those who watched the series closely this may come as a surprise because the matches were evenly contested with both the batters and bowlers enjoying moments of dominance. The outfield ratings for each of the four matches that have been assessed thus far were all very good and that shows the playing surfaces outside the pitch were of a high quality throughout the series.

The opening Test at Headingley was an excellent example of how a pitch can give something to everyone. In the initial phase batters had the freedom to score whereas the surface also provided bowlers with an opportunity to perform in the latter part of the game as well. The ICC appreciated this equilibrium by giving both the pitch and outfield an extremely good score. The second Test at Edgbaston although thrilling did not reach that standard height as per the ICC. The pitch there received a satisfactory rating though the outfield was excellent.

Lord's staged the third Test and again though the match staged compelling cricket with tension mounting over five days the pitch was rated satisfactory. The same judgment was delivered on the Old Trafford surface in the fourth Test when bowlers received more support as the game wore on. This consistency of the ICC's appraisal implies that although these pitches offered competitive cricket, they maybe did not yield the ideal balance between bat and ball over the course of five days that is required of a very good rating.

The series as a whole was an absolute test of skill and mental toughness for both sides. Players battled through tiredness and even injury to produce performances which will be spoken about for years. There was brilliance with bat and ball in each game. The games were so evenly matched that the result usually depended on a handful of deliveries or an inspired spell of bowling. That is what made this series so special for players and spectators.

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta summed up the feelings perfectly when he described how challenging yet fulfilling the series had been. He noted that all five matches extended to the final day, which is an uncommon occurrence in contemporary Test cricket. This demonstrated the standard and toughness of both sides that would not retreat at any point. His sentiments captured the sense of fatigue and satisfaction felt by everybody involved when the series ended.

From a cricketing point of view the manner in which the pitches played contributed to the drama. On the majority of surfaces batters had better scoring conditions in the initial few days but as the matches progressed the wear and tear had bowlers entering the game. This change in advantage kept every contest interesting and made sure that no match was one sided. Even though the ICC’s ratings might suggest that only one pitch reached the highest standard many fans would agree that the playing surfaces contributed greatly to the thrilling nature of the series.

India’s narrow win in the final Test at the Oval was a fitting climax. The game swung back and forth before the visitors held their nerve to seal victory by just six runs. That victory enabled India to draw the series and ensured that neither team was left disappointed. Although the ICC has not yet made its rating of the Oval pitch it would be no surprise if it conformed with the trend of the other ratings that have been satisfactory up to now.

The 2-2 scoreline is a reflection of how well-balanced the sides were. There were individual performances of great note with bat and ball by both sides. Each side had batsmen and bowlers who stood up under colossal pressure and delivered in times of greatest need. These were not mere matches of cricket they were psychological wars where there was a story in every session.

What made this set of matches so remarkable was how it captivated the viewers throughout. Supporters saw high scoring innings clinging bowling spells dramatic fallouts and last wicket partnerships that left the outcome hanging in the balance until the final moment. Such a mix of tension and thrill is precisely what makes Test cricket special and why it continues to hold a special place in the heart of genuine cricket enthusiasts.

While the ICC pitch ratings are a significant indicator of ensuring the quality of the game they cannot entirely account for the drama and emotional content of what transpired over the course of those five matches. The Headingley surface may have been the sole surface to record a very good rating but all the grounds contributed towards creating a series that will be remembered for a very long time. The balance of bat and ball was different from ground to ground but the competitiveness never wavered.

The Anderson Tendulkar Trophy this year was again a sure proof that when two strong teams clash in a five match Test series the result is never solely about skill. It is about resistance adaptability and the spirit of wanting to battle till the last ball was bowled. For England and India this was not another cricket series it was a demonstration of why the longest game there is still creating the greatest tales in sport.

If the forthcoming pitch rating for the Kennington Oval proves similar to others the series is going to finish with only one ground being officially accredited for possessing a tremendous surface. However, in the opinion of many who followed each and every ball the actual rating for this series is beyond figures. It was just unerasable.