The ICC Pitch and Outfield guidelines

found here

GUIDANCE FOR RATING TEST MATCH PITCHES
Categories and Criteria
ALL CRITERIA ARE BASED ON THE PREMISE THAT ALL PITCHES SHOULD BE
COMPLETELY DRY AT THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE MATCH. ALL PITCHES
WILL BE JUDGED SOLELY ON HOW THEY PLAY.
Very Good
Good carry, limited seam movement and consistent bounce throughout, little or no turn on the
first two days but natural wear sufficient to be responsive to spin later in the game.
Good
Average carry, limited seam movement, consistent bounce throughout, natural wear sufficient
to be responsive to spin later in the game, though not quite meeting the criteria for carry and
bounce for a “very good” pitch.
Above Average
Lacks carry, and/or bounce and/or occasional seam movement, but consistent in carry and
bounce. A degree of turn, but with average bounce for the spinner. Falling significantly short
of “very good” with respect to carry, bounce and turn.
Below Average
Either very little carry and/or bounce and/or more than occasional seam movement, or
occasional variable (but not excessive or dangerous) bounce and/or occasional variable carry.
If a pitch demonstrates these features, then the pitch can not be rated in a higher category
regardless of the amount of turn the pitch displays at any stage of the match.
Poor
If any of the following criteria apply, a pitch may be rated “poor”:
• The pitch offers excessive seam movement at any stage of the match
• The pitch displays excessive unevenness of bounce for any bowler at any stage of the
match
• The pitch offers excessive assistance to spin bowlers, especially early in the match
Unfit
If the following criterion applies, a pitch may be rated “unfit”:
• The pitch is dangerous

Clarifications
• Excessive means “too much”.
• It is recognised that a limited amount of seam movement is acceptable early in the match
and that a pitch may develop some unevenness of bounce for seam bowlers as the match
progresses. This is acceptable, but should not develop to a point where they would be
described as “excessive”.
• There is nothing wrong with a pitch that affords some degree of turn on the first day of a
match though anything more than occasional unevenness of bounce at this stage of the
match is not acceptable. It is to be expected that a pitch will turn steadily more as a
match progresses, and it is recognised that a greater degree of unevenness of bounce may
develop.
• It is impossible to quantify the amount that a ball is “allowed” to turn as bowlers will
turn the ball differing amounts. The type and identity of bowler shall be taken into
account when assessing this factor.
• In no circumstances should the pitch ‘explode’.
GUIDANCE FOR RATING ONE DAY MATCH PITCHES
Fulfilment of the lowest criteria will determine the overall rating for the pitch. For example,
if the pitch demonstrates no unevenness, is just lacking in carry and/or bounce and more than
occasional turn, then it must be rated “Below Average”.
Referees should take into account the nature and identity of spin bowlers when assessing the
amount of turn that the pitch has demonstrated.
Unevenness Seam Carry and/or Turn
Movement Bounce
Very Good Little or no Little or no Good Little or no
unevenness seam movement turn
Good Little or no Little or no Just lacking Little or no unevenness seam movement turn
Above Average Occasional Occasional Lacking Occasional
Below Average More than More than Minimal More than
occasional occasional occasional
Poor Excessive Excessive Very Minimal Excessive
Unfit A pitch and is rated unfit only if it is dangerous

GUIDANCE FOR RATING OUTFIELDS
Very Good
Well grassed, even covering, no bare patches, no irregularity of bounce, fast pace.
Good
No bare patches, no irregularity of bounce, medium/fast pace.
Average
Predominantly well grassed, even covering, occasional irregularity of bounce, medium pace.
Poor
Excessive bare patches, excessive irregular bounce, slow (heavy) pace.
Unfit
Dangerous to fielders.
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The ICC even has forms to tabulate pitch behavior :)..

Maybe it is just me, but doesn't it strike you as odd that batsmen friendly wickets are being deemed very good by the ICC while bowler friendly wickets fall under the category of Below Average or Poor?