The Melbourne Cricket Ground has been handed a demerit point after the International Cricket Council (ICC) officially rated the pitch used for the recent Boxing Day Ashes Test as “unsatisfactory,” following a chaotic match that ended inside two days.
The decision marks the first time an Australian pitch has been deemed substandard since the ICC introduced its revamped pitch monitoring system two years ago. Under ICC regulations, a venue that accumulates six demerit points within a five-year period faces suspension from hosting international cricket for 12 months.
The showpiece Test, played at the iconic MCG, saw an extraordinary 36 wickets fall across just six sessions. Twenty wickets tumbled on the opening day, with a further 16 on day two, as pace bowlers dominated in conditions offering pronounced seam movement.
Notably, no batter from either side managed to score a half-century, underlining the difficulties faced by players at the crease.
Match referee Jeff Crowe confirmed the verdict, stating that the surface was overly biased in favour of 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,” Crowe said.
MCG head curator Matt Page had left approximately 10 millimetres of grass on the pitch, a decision intended to protect the surface from forecast hot conditions later in the match. However, that extra grass was cited as a key factor behind the excessive movement that characterised the contest. Page later admitted he was in a “state of shock” as the match unfolded.
England ultimately emerged victorious, chasing down a modest target to secure a four-wicket win. Australia’s Travis Head top-scored in the match with 46 in the second innings, highlighting just how testing the conditions were for batters.
The Melbourne Test was the second match of the series to conclude in just two days, following a similarly short first Test in Perth. However, the Perth surface was rated “very good” by the ICC, with batter errors considered the primary reason for that match’s brevity.
Historically, the MCG has experienced mixed assessments from the ICC. In 2017, a drawn Ashes Test at the venue was criticised for offering too little assistance to bowlers and was rated “poor” after only 24 wickets fell. The following year, the pitch used for India’s famous victory was judged “average.”
Speaking prior to the ICC’s ruling, Australia coach Andrew McDonald defended Page’s work, urging observers to view the pitch within the broader context of efforts to improve the MCG surface.
“He does an outstanding job,” McDonald said, adding that occasional poor matches are an inevitable part of cricket’s evolution.
Despite the criticism, the single demerit point means the MCG remains well clear of any immediate sanctions, though the verdict is likely to intensify scrutiny of pitch preparation ahead of future marquee Tests.
