The Mackay pitch and Jay Shah [Source: X and AFP]The Australia vs Bangladesh 2026 Test series concluded in a draw, with the visitors and the hosts sharing the series 1-1. Now, in an interesting development, the International Cricket Council is set to rate the Mackay pitch following Australia's win by an innings and 51 runs.For the unaware, Bangladesh were put into bat first in Mackay and bowled out for just 64 runs, courtesy of Mitchell Starc's clinical six-fer. Australia struck 210 runs in their first innings amid Shoriful Islam's rampage, securing a crucial lead of 146 runs over the tourists. However, Bangladesh faltered again in their second innings and were bundled out for just 95 runs, which led the Mackay Test to be the 4th shortest Test match in terms of balls bowled.ICC set to issue 'very good' rating for Mackay pitchAfter Australia demolished Bangladesh in the second Test inside two days, the ICC is reportedly considering awarding the Mackay pitch a 'very good' rating under its four-tier system of pitch ratings. As per a report from 7Cricket journalist Tom Morris, the Mackay pitch is set to receive a 'very good' rating from the apex cricket body despite the two-day landslide at Great Barrier Reef Arena.Why is the ICC expected to rate Mackay 'very good'?The four-tier rating system considers a "very good" pitch to be a balanced playing surface that offers good carry, limited seam movement and consistent bounce for both batters and bowlers and is not restricted to the number of days the match is necessarily played. Although such a pitch may initially favour the bowling side, it should naturally deteriorate and offer greater assistance to spin later in the match. That was the case in Mackay, as Nathan Lyon received significant assistance on the second day and claimed three wickets in just 11.3 overs. In Bangladesh's first innings, no spinner was required for the Australian attack, with Mitchell Starc, Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Beau Webster doing the damage with the ball.From the visitors' side, Bangladesh's pace sensation Shoriful Islam also claimed seven wickets in Australia's first innings from just 15 overs. Taskin Ahmed picked up one wicket, while spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam also claimed one wicket each. Also Read- Bangladesh Feel The Force Of An Evolved Mitchell StarcWhich Test pitches has the ICC rated 'Very Good' recently?The ICC has been rating Test match pitches since March 2006 under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process. However, in November 2023, the ICC simplified the rating categories from six tiers to the current four-tier system to provide a clearer assessment of pitch quality.In recent memory, a "very good" rating from the ICC has been relatively rare. The Australia vs England first Ashes Test in November 2025 was played at Perth Stadium, and the Perth pitch received a "very good" rating from the ICC despite the match lasting only two days. The surface offered consistent bounce and good carry, resulting in a competitive contest between bat and ball.In another instance, during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, four Australian venues- Perth Stadium, Adelaide Oval, the Gabba and the Melbourne Cricket Ground- were rated "very good" by the ICC. Interestingly, several of those matches were also relatively short, with the pitches offering significant assistance to the seamers.Which Indian pitches are rated 'very good' by the ICC?In India, the Chepauk Stadium pitch in Chennai received a "very good" rating from the ICC in 2024 after the first Test between India and Bangladesh. However, Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, along with the MCA Stadium, Wankhede Stadium and Eden Gardens, received "satisfactory" ratings from the ICC.Since Indian pitches traditionally dry out quickly and tend to favour spin bowling heavily, they do not always receive the "very good" rating, which requires a surface to offer consistent bounce and appropriate assistance to both batters and bowlers over the course of a Test match.Also Read- RCB Member Backed For CSK Head Coach Role By Matthew Hayden Before IPL 2027
