How does the ICC rate pitches and outfields at international venues?
Rule- International venues
- South Africa
- Cricket South Africa
- MCC Laws of Cricket
- ICC pitch monitoring
- Pitches
- All ages
- 2026/27
- Groundsmen
After every men's or women's Test, ODI and T20I, the ICC match referee completes a Pitch and Outfield Report, including comments from both captains and the umpires where needed. Pitches are judged on how they play; a good contest, a long match and strong individual performances can count in the pitch's favour.
Test pitches should let all skills show and, if anything, slightly favour the bowlers. They're expected to wear, with more uneven bounce, seam and spin as the match goes on, but should never "explode".
| Rating | What it means |
|---|---|
| Very Good | Good carry, limited seam movement, consistent good bounce early, acceptable turn early, natural wear that helps spin later |
| Satisfactory | Falls significantly short of Very Good on carry, bounce or spin |
| Unsatisfactory | No even contest: too much for the batters (few wicket-taking chances) or too much for seam or spin |
| Unfit | Dangerous |
ODI and T20I pitches should favour shot-making and behave consistently all match. Unsatisfactory means excessive unevenness, excessive seam movement, minimal carry and/or bounce, or excessive spin. The lowest criterion decides the rating. Unfit means dangerous.
Outfields are judged on appearance (evenness of surface and grass cover), performance (ball speed and bounce), safety (predictable bounce, freedom of movement) and recovery after rain. Unsatisfactory includes excessive bare patches, irregular bounce, slow pace, or drainage so poor it causes an abandonment or an unacceptable loss of playing time. Unfit means dangerous to bowlers or fielders.
Added 22 Oct 2026