The Sydney Cricket Ground "has been hit for six, with a survey of state captains and match referees voting it the worst first-class venue in Australia," according to Jon Pierik of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. In what has become a "contentious report for one of world cricket's most prestigious venues," the SCG was voted -- when it comes to pitch and outfield conditions -- "arguably worse than council-run venues." However, the SCG Trust "hit back," claiming a "contentious vote in the match involving the Blues and Victoria had not been amended to include the match referee's rating." Cricket Australia on Wednesday publicly released for the first time the ratings of each Sheffield Shield venue, the move coming after the Int'l Cricket Council's recent "naming and shaming" of int'l venues "not up to scratch" -- as seen during Australia's tour of India. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Adelaide Oval and Western Australia Cricket Association Ground "rated highly for pitch and outfield conditions during the Shield season" (SMH, 4/12).
