The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been handed a significant blow by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following the dramatic and abbreviated Boxing Day Ashes Test. The governing body has officially rated the pitch used for the match as 'unsatisfactory', awarding the venue one demerit point.
A Test Match That Ended Too Soon
The second Test of the 2025 Ashes series between Australia and England concluded in a mere two days, leaving fans and officials stunned. The match, which began on December 26, saw a staggering 20 wickets fall on the first day and another 16 on the second. No batsman from either side managed to reach a half-century, highlighting the extreme difficulty of batting on the surface.
Match referee Jeff Crowe was unequivocal in his assessment. "The MCG pitch was too much in favour of the bowlers," Crowe stated. He confirmed that with the rapid fall of wickets and lack of substantial batting, the pitch failed to meet ICC guidelines, leading to the 'unsatisfactory' verdict.
Shock and Disappointment from Officials
The rating has sent shockwaves through Cricket Australia (CA) and the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC). CA's chief of cricket, James Allsopp, expressed his disappointment, particularly for the spectators. "We were disappointed for the fans holding tickets for days three and four, and also the millions of fans excited to watch the action," Allsopp said. He acknowledged that the pitch did not provide the MCG's customary balance between bat and ball.
MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said the club acknowledges the ICC's rating. "Our team will continue to strive to produce excellent Test match pitches, as they have done for the last three years when they received top marks from the ICC," Fox added, pointing to the venue's recent strong record.
Curator's State of Shock and Future Promise
The man in charge of the pitch, curator Matthew Page, admitted to being in a state of shock over how the match unfolded. "I've never been involved in a Test match like it and hopefully I'm not involved in a Test match like it again," Page told the media. While he called the contest 'captivating', he conceded his team did not ensure the game lasted an appropriate duration.
"We're obviously disappointed that it's gone two days," Page reflected. "We produced a Test that was captivating, but it hasn't gone long enough. We'll learn from that and make sure we get it right next year."
Looking Ahead to the 2027 Centenary Test
Despite the setback, Cricket Australia remains confident about the future. James Allsopp emphasized that the MCG would bounce back in time for a historic fixture. The focus is now on delivering a vastly improved surface for the 150th anniversary Test between England and Australia, scheduled for March 2027.
"We appreciate the outstanding work the MCC staff have done over recent years producing excellent Test match pitches," Allsopp remarked, expressing faith in the ground's ability to rectify the issue. The single demerit point will remain on the MCG's record for a five-year rolling period.
