AUS v IND 2018-19: Josh Hazlewood comes up with a solution for rating pitches after Perth pitch debacle

The ICC had rated Perth stadium pitch 'average'.

Ever since the pitch at the Optus Perth Stadium, which made its debut in the recent Australia-India Test of the ongoing 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar series, has been rated ‘average’ by the ICC; it has divided opinions amongst the cricketing fraternity.

Now, Josh Hazlewood, the Australian quick has suggested a new way to rate pitches. He has suggested a player and public vote could change the way Test pitches are rated by the International Cricket Council as he and teammate Mitchell Starc questioned the ICC's assessment of the Perth Stadium pitch.

After Perth stadium pitch was rated as such by ICC, the decision was slammed by Test greats Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson, and Michael Vaughan, with Warne saying, "someone has to be accountable for this terrible decision".

Cricket Australia is yet to receive Madugalle's official report from Perth, but cricket.com.au understands the media reports of an 'average' rating are accurate. The ICC has 14 days from the time they receive Madugalle's report to send it on to CA officials.

Match referees speak to both captains and umpires before finalizing their post-match reports, but Hazlewood has suggested that could be extended to all players and possibly even the public, saying the 22 players on the field are in the best position to judge how a pitch performs.

"I think rather than one person giving the rating, maybe votes go around to the players or staff or anyone involved. You'd get broader collective feedback from players. Even a public poll could get some good feedback or some bad feedback. I'm sure the first two (Test) wickets have been well received by the public as well as the players involved," Hazlewood told cricket.com.au.

The 'average' rating from Perth likely stems from the inconsistent bounce the pitch produced at times, notably late in Australia's second innings on the fourth day.

"I know a couple of people got hit in the head and shoulders, but it's Test cricket,' Hazlewood said.

"You're bowling 140kph, guys are going to get hit on any wicket. I thought it was a great wicket. Guys got hundreds, guys got seventies, spin got wickets, quicks got wickets. What else do you really want from it? It was competitive cricket and it went to day five. As far as I'm concerned, it ticked every box," Hazlewood added.

The wider debate about Test pitches is particularly relevant heading into the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, which was given a 'poor' rating last year following a drab drawn Ashes Test that was slammed by players and pundits.

(Inputs from cricket.com.au)