Michael Clarke blasts 'extreme' and 'worst' Sydney pitch as ICC delivers controversial verdict

Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke was critical of the surface used for the fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Michael Clarke said that the SCG is his favorite ground in the world but added that it was the worst pitch he had ever seen in Sydney.

The pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the recent Test was seamer-friendly, where Australia defeated India by six wickets in just three days. The pitch, with a grass cover, received a 'satisfactory' rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC). Neither team scored more than 200 runs in the four innings.

The SCG Is My Favorite Ground In The World - Michael Clarke

Speaking on ESPN's Around The Wicket, Clarke expressed his disappointment with the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Clarke described the pitch as the worst he had ever seen in Sydney and criticized it for not being a good cricket wicket.

"The SCG is my favorite ground in the world. It is my home ground, and I hate saying this out loud, but that's the worst pitch I've ever seen in Sydney. I didn't think it was a good cricket wicket," Clarke told ESPN's Around The Wicket.

I Didn’t Think It Was A Good Cricket Wicket - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke stated that the pitch had issues, including the ball bouncing unevenly during the match. Clarke said that while he wasn't complaining, he pointed out that if a similar wicket with excessive turn had been produced in India, Australian fans would have strongly criticized it.

"You know, balls not just going up off the surface, but also shooting low at the end of day two. I didn’t think it was a good cricket wicket, and of course, Australia wins, so I’m not complaining, but if we went to India and played and they produced a wicket like that in regards to a raging turner and the game was over in two and a half days, I think all Australian cricket fans would be kicking up a stink. So, I think we just have to be a little bit careful as well now in and around that," Clarke stated.

Whole Summer Was Really Tough for Batting, But Sydney Was Extreme - Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke acknowledged that different countries produce pitches suited to their conditions but emphasized that the wickets throughout the summer were challenging for batting and ideal for fast bowling, particularly with the new ball.

"We go to different countries and they produce conditions that are conducive for them. I think we need to bite our tongue because these wickets in general throughout the whole summer were really tough for batting and were great for fast bowling, especially against the brand new ball, but Sydney was extreme. I didn't think it was a good test wicket," Clarke concluded.

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