ICC Delivers 'Unsatisfactory' Verdict on MCG Pitch After Two-Day Ashes Test
In a stunning rebuke to one of cricket’s most iconic venues, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch as ‘unsatisfactory’ following a wildly lopsided Ashes Test that ended in just two days. The historic ground has been handed one demerit point, casting a shadow over the Boxing Day Test match that saw bowlers dominate relentlessly.
The decision comes after the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England concluded prematurely, with a mere 36 wickets falling in 142 overs. No batter managed to score a half-century, highlighting a severe imbalance between bat and ball that the ICC’s match referee found unacceptable.
ICC Match Referee Explains the Punishment
The verdict was delivered under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process by match referee Jeff Crowe. He stated the surface provided an excessive advantage to bowlers, leading directly to the match’s abbreviated finish.
“The MCG pitch was too much in favour of the bowlers,” Crowe said. “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.”
The demerit point will remain on the MCG’s record for five years. If a venue accumulates six demerit points within that period, it faces suspension from hosting international cricket for 12 months.
How the Chaotic Boxing Day Test Unfolded
The match was a fast-bowler’s paradise and a batter’s nightmare from the very first session:
England won the toss and bowled, skittling Australia for 152.
England’s reply lasted less than 30 overs, crumbling to 110 all out.
Australia’s second innings fared little better, dismissed for 132.
Remarkably, all 36 wickets in the match were taken by pace bowlers.
England successfully chased the 175-run target, securing their first Test win in Australia since 2011. However, the victory was severely overshadowed by the intense scrutiny on the playing surface.
Context: A Contrast to the Perth Test Rating
The ICC’s ruling stands in sharp contrast to its assessment of the Perth Test earlier in the same series, which also ended inside two days. On that occasion, the pitch was rated ‘good’, with the ICC citing the batters’ inability to apply themselves as a key factor in the quick finish, rather than the surface itself. The differing judgments highlight the nuanced and often debated nature of pitch monitoring.
Why This Matters for the Future of Test Cricket
This ‘unsatisfactory’ rating is a significant moment for the sport. It underscores the ongoing global conversation about preserving the traditional five-day balance of Test cricket, where all skills are tested. While sporting pitches are desired, surfaces that lead to excessively short matches threaten the integrity and commercial viability of the format.
For the MCG and Cricket Australia, the demerit point serves as a formal warning. All eyes will now be on the preparation for next year’s Boxing Day Test, with pressure mounting to produce a pitch that guarantees a fairer contest between bat and ball.
