West Test Pitch Receives Top Rating

Under the ICC's four-tier rating system, 'very good' is the highest ranking possible, awarded to pitches with "good carry, limited seam movement, and consistent bounce early in the match, allowing for a balanced contest between batters and bowlers".

The opening NRMA Insurance Test saw 19 wickets fall on the opening day as England were bowled out for 172 with Mitchell Starc taking career-best figures of 7-58 before Australia's batters collapsed to be 9-121 at stumps.

Day two saw 13 wickets fall and 380 runs put on the board as England were bowled out for 164 before Travis Head's incredible 123 guided Australia to an eight-wicket win.

The entire Test match lasted just 847 deliveries, making it the quickest completed Ashes Test in 137 years since the days of four-ball overs.

Starc, who finished with match figures of 10-113 in Perth, said both teams' aggressive batting had played into bowlers' hands.

"We often sit here and say it's the wicket or it's the batting but I think both teams bowled really well," Starc said at the end of day one.

"We know how England want to take the approach of being aggressive, that creates opportunities and I thought we bowled quite well.

"There's obviously a nice covering of grass that the seam can sometimes grip into that grass. I think a really good day for both bowling groups."

England captain Ben Stokes, who was the pick of England's bowlers on day one with a five-wicket haul, said the wicket was "offering a lot to bowlers" but rewarded risk-taking.

"For me, in conditions like that, on wickets like that, that offer a lot to bowlers, when you are the one who's managed to get the time out in the middle, read the wicket and understand it … it's pretty obvious that the guys who managed to find success out there were the ones who really decided to take the game on, because there was a lot happening out there."

Australia captain Steve Smith, who hit the winning runs on the second evening, said Australian sides had learned the Perth Stadium pitch improved as the game went on.

"This wicket, it kind of gets better I think at the end of day two, it's probably at its best for the game late this evening … we saw similar last year as well," he said after the match.

That was a sentiment backed up by Marnus Labuschange, who scored a fourth-innings half-century in a 117-run partnership with Head, who said "the wicket got a little bit flatter" on the second day.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald said batting errors and excellent bowling was the cause of the rapid result rather than any demons in the pitch.

"There was a lot of error on day one from the batters, which the bowling units were able to pounce on," McDonald said on Monday.

"I think it was a nervous start for both teams, a lot of nervous energy and the errors crept in. Some of the decision-making, I think both batting units if they had the time again would take it back.

"There was some excellent bowling too."

Cricket Australia's chief of cricket James Allsopp said: "The match referee's 'very good' rating justifies our belief Perth Stadium produced a pitch that provided a fair balance between bat and ball.

"The dominance of some brilliant pace bowling from both sides and the frenetic nature of the contest meant the match lasted only two days.

"This was disappointing for fans holding tickets for days three and four, but we saw some incredible moments which captivated huge viewing audiences and will inspire even more kids to pick up a bat and ball this summer.

"As always, we want to ensure pitches across Australia have their own characteristics and we're looking forward to another enthralling contest under lights at the Gabba starting next Thursday."