MELBOURNE :The Perth Stadium pitch that saw Australia complete a thumping eight-wicket Ashes win inside two days over England has earned the International Cricket Council's (ICC) highest rating, Cricket Australia said on Thursday.

The ICC match referee gave the surface a "very good" rating, denoting good carry, limited seam movement and consistent early bounce despite the rapid finish to the series-opener.

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

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

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