Ashes 2025-26: MCG Boxing Day Test pitch gets ‘unsatisfactory’ rating from ICC

The pitch for the fourth Test of the 2025-26 Ashes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has been rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by the ICC on December 29. The venue was also handed one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees Jeff Crowe announced the final verdict while explaining the rationale behind the decision.

“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.