Melbourne Test Ends in Two Days as ICC Rates MCG Pitch ‘Below Par’

The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has come under scrutiny after the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England concluded in just two days. The International Cricket Council (ICC) awarded the pitch an ‘Below Par’ rating following the match, adding a demerit point to the stadium’s record. The assessment was made by match referee Jeff Crowe, who deemed the surface unsuitable for a balanced contest between bat and ball.

Under the ICC’s four-tier pitch rating system, ‘Below Par’ represents the third level, assigned to surfaces that heavily favour bowlers and fail to offer a fair contest for batsmen.

The Test, which began on 26 December, witnessed an extraordinary collapse of wickets. On the opening day alone, twenty wickets fell, and a further sixteen fell the following day, culminating in 36 wickets over 142 overs. England emerged victorious by four wickets, although Australia had already secured the series after winning the first three Tests.

Following the match, MCG curator Matt Page admitted he was “shocked” by how swiftly the game concluded. He had opted to leave approximately 10 millimetres of grass on the pitch, anticipating hot weather over the final three days. However, this decision has come under intense scrutiny from both fans and cricket analysts.

James Allsop, Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket, expressed disappointment in a statement: “For those fans who had tickets for days three and four, as well as millions around Australia and the world eagerly awaiting the match, this result is deeply frustrating. The pitch did not provide the traditional balance between bat and ball that the MCG is known for.”

Nonetheless, Allsop expressed confidence in the MCG’s ground staff, noting their track record of consistently preparing high-quality Test pitches. He remains optimistic that the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand next year, and the historic 150th-anniversary Test against England in March 2027, will feature pitches of the highest standard.

Historically, Cricket Australia hosts the Boxing Day Test at the MCG every year. In the three previous editions, the pitch had earned the ICC’s top ‘Very Good’ rating. This year’s early finish, however, is expected to have significant financial implications. According to Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, the loss could amount to approximately US$7 million.

The Ashes series will continue with the fifth and final Test, scheduled to commence on 4 January in Sydney.

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