The ICC graded the pitch for the fourth Test of the 2025-26 Ashes at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as ‘unsatisfactory’ on December 29. The venue also received one penalty point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees announced the final decision and explained why it was made.
“The MCG pitch was too much in favour of the bowlers. With 20 wickets falling on the first day, 16 on the second day and no batter even reaching a half-century, the pitch was ‘Unsatisfactory’ as per the guidelines and the venue gets one demerit point,” stated Crowe, as quoted by the ICC.
For the unversed, the match ended in merely 852 deliveries, becoming the fourth-shortest completed Ashes Test by balls.
The series-opening clash in Perth took 847 balls, five fewer deliveries than the MCG encounter,
As no batter could get themselves set on a pitch highly conducive for bowling due to the layering of grass on the deck.
Australia and England both completed their respective first innings on Day 1. The tourists ended up conceding a 46-run lead by the end of the opening day’s play before 16 more wickets fell on the second day, as England clinched a four-wicket victory in the third session of the day. Josh Tongue secured the Player of the Match award for his seven-wicket match haul (5/45 and 2/44).
There were only three instances of players crossing the 40-run mark. The first Test played out in similar fashion, only for the opposite outcome as Australia had come out with an eight-wicket win in Perth in a similar low-scoring clash. The fifth and final match of the series is scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4. The hosts have lead the series by a 3-1 margin.
India
