New Delhi, Aug 8 (NationPress) The pitch utilized for the inaugural Test between England and India at Headingley, Leeds, has garnered a ‘very good’ assessment, while the surfaces designated for the following three Tests received a ‘satisfactory’ ranking, according to the pitch and outfield evaluations released by the ICC.

This evaluation follows an exhilarating Test series fought for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which concluded in a 2-2 tie, with the Shubman Gill-led team triumphing in the nail-biting fifth Test by a mere six runs at The Oval. Notably, each match throughout the series extended to all five days, with the drawn Test in Manchester being the sole match without a decisive outcome.

The first Test at Headingley, Leeds, was rated very good for both the pitch and outfield. The second Test held at Edgbaston, Birmingham, received a ‘satisfactory’ pitch evaluation, while the outfield was rated very good. The pitch maintained its satisfactory rating and the outfield's very good rating for the third and fourth Tests at Lord’s, London, and Old Trafford, Manchester.

The pitch and outfield ratings for the fifth and concluding Test at The Oval await confirmation from the ICC. In comparison, four out of five pitches in the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy series were rated ‘very good’, the highest classification under the ICC’s revised pitch assessment guidelines.

This series proved to be a remarkable one for Shubman Gill, who emerged as the leading run-scorer with an impressive 754 runs across 10 innings, boasting an average of 75.40, including four centuries, earning the title of India’s Player of the Series. On the other hand, England batter Harry Brook was recognized as the hosts’ Player of the Series for amassing 481 runs at an average of 53.44.