The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has received an “unsatisfactory” rating from the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its pitch during the Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England, which concluded within just two days. This decision, made by ICC match referee Jeff Crowe, resulted in the MCG being awarded one demerit point under the ICC’s four-tier pitch-rating system.
According to Crowe, the pitch did not support a fair contest between bat and ball, heavily favouring bowlers and providing excessive wicket-taking opportunities. “With 20 wickets falling on the first day and 16 on the second, and no batter reaching a half-century, the pitch was deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ as per the guidelines,” Crowe stated. The MCG had previously received a “very good” rating for the last three Boxing Day Tests.
The outcome disappointed many fans who held tickets for the cancelled days three and four of the Test. James Allsopp, Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, expressed regret in a statement, noting the disappointment felt by millions anticipating the match. “The pitch did not provide the MCG’s customary balance between bat and ball,” Allsopp said, while assuring fans that the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) staff has historically produced excellent surfaces for cricket.
MCG curator Matt Page admitted he was in “a state of shock” after witnessing the rapid wicket falls. Page had decided to leave 10mm of grass on the pitch, anticipating a hot forecast for the match’s final days. This decision faced scrutiny, especially given that a similar approach had yielded a more balanced pitch in the previous season’s Test against India.
The quick finish of the Test is projected to cost Cricket Australia up to AUD 10 million, adding to the financial losses from the opening Test. This situation marks the first instance in 129 years where two Tests in a series concluded within two days. In light of this unprecedented outcome, Todd Greenberg, CEO of Cricket Australia, suggested that the governing body may need to exert more influence over pitch preparation, a traditionally independent role for curators in Australia.
Australia’s head coach Andrew McDonald voiced his support for Page, emphasizing that the country should not dictate specific pitch conditions. “I don’t want to get to a situation where we are asking for specific surfaces and tailor-made,” McDonald stated, highlighting the need to maintain the integrity of pitch preparation.
As the cricketing community reflects on this unusual event, hopes remain high for next year’s Boxing Day Test against New Zealand and the highly anticipated 150th Anniversary Test against England in March 2027. Cricket Australia is confident that the MCC will continue to deliver high-quality surfaces for these significant matches, ensuring that fans can enjoy the thrilling contest between bat and ball that defines the sport.
