There was a time when all discussions about playing surfaces were restricted to Test matches in Asia. Teams from outside the sub-continent not particularly adept at playing the turning ball looked at pitches suspiciously, suggesting that they were undone less by technical inadequacies and more by designer tracks tailor-made to accentuate the hosts' strength.

The wheel has come a full circle now, with pitches in Australia too coming under the scanner. Last year's deck at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Ashes Test was rated 'poor' by ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle after 1081 runs were scored in 387.3 overs for the loss of 24 wickets.