Former England captain Alastair Cook has launched a scathing attack on the pitch prepared for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), labelling it 'sub-standard' and an 'absolute lottery'. His comments come after England secured a remarkable victory against Australia in just two days during the 2025-26 Ashes series, leaving fans who bought tickets for days three and four disappointed.
Cook's Blunt Verdict on a 'Sub-Standard' Surface
In his column for 'The Times', Cook did not mince words about the playing surface, which saw 30 wickets fall in under six sessions. He argued that the excessive assistance for bowlers made batting exceptionally difficult, even for modern greats. 'International bowlers don't need very much assistance, and when they get as much as they did here, it becomes almost impossible,' Cook wrote.
He pointed to the struggles of premier batters like England's Joe Root and Australia's Steve Smith as evidence of the pitch's poor quality. 'We saw two modern greats of the game — Root and Steve Smith — really struggling to score runs convincingly,' he noted, highlighting Root's 15-ball duck in the first innings.
A Personal Grievance and an Apology to Fans
Cook also revealed a personal connection to the MCG pitch's evolution. He suggested that the surface was deliberately made more bowler-friendly after his own marathon innings of 244 in the 2017 Boxing Day Test. 'It was after I made 244 in 2017 that they decided to make the pitch more bowler-friendly. It was the best I ever batted,' Cook remarked, adding wryly that Brian Lara's world records in Antigua did not lead to similar changes there.
Understanding the impact on spectators, Cook issued a direct apology. He expressed regret to the batting line-ups of both teams and, more importantly, to the thousands of fans who missed out on two days of cricket action they had paid to watch.
Praise for Stokes' Leadership in Adversity
Amidst the criticism, Cook reserved high praise for England captain Ben Stokes. He credited Stokes for holding the team together after going 3-0 down in the Ashes and inspiring a fighting victory in Melbourne. 'Stokes should take a lot of credit for keeping his side together. It is very easy over Christmas when you are 3-0 down, and the Ashes have gone for things to start to fall apart,' Cook wrote.
He expressed delight for Root, Stokes, and the travelling England fans who finally had a reason to celebrate on Australian soil. The win, though achieved on a contentious pitch, provided a bright spot in an otherwise challenging series for the visitors.
The dramatic two-day finish has reignited the perennial debate about pitch preparation in Test cricket, with Cook's strong views adding significant weight to the conversation. The focus now shifts to whether cricket authorities will respond to such high-profile criticism concerning one of the sport's most iconic venues.
