The MCG pitch for the Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England, which ended inside two days, has earned itself an “unsatisfactory” rating from the ICC match referee for the game, Jeff Crowe. As a result, the MCG will get one demerit point.
“We were disappointed for the fans holding tickets for days three and four, and also the millions of fans excited to watch the action in Australia and around the world, that the pitch did not provide the MCG’s customary balance between bat and ball,” James Allsopp, Cricket Australia (CA) chief of cricket, said in a statement.
“We appreciate the outstanding work the MCC staff have done over recent years producing excellent Test match pitches. We’re confident they will deliver first-rate surfaces for next year’s NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test against New Zealand and the hugely anticipated 150th Anniversary Test against England in March 2027.”
Under the ICC’s four-tier pitch-rating system, ”unsatisfactory” is the third ranking and characterises a pitch that “does not allow an even contest between bat and ball… by favouring the bowlers too much, with too many wicket-taking opportunities for either seam or spin”. The MCG pitch, incidentally, had received the highest “very good” rating for the past three Boxing Day Tests.
It was the second two-day Test at the ongoing Ashes, which Australia won when they won the first three Test matches before losing the one at MCG.
The two-day finish is also expected to cost CA up to AUD 10 million.