MCG Receives One Demerit Point as ICC Rates Pitch “Unsatisfactory” After Boxing Day Ashes Test Ends in Less Than 2 Days

Both England and Australia anticipate a more enduring contest in the fifth Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, commencing on January 4.

MCG Receives One Demerit Point as ICC Rates Pitch “Unsatisfactory” After Boxing Day Ashes Test Ends in Less Than 2 Days

The surface at the Melbourne Cricket Ground has been deemed 'unsatisfactory', following the fourth Ashes Test. (Image via Indian Express)

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The controversy over the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch continues, given the Boxing Day Ashes Test between England and Australia ended in a record time of just two days. The surface has been handed one demerit point after being deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ by the ICC.

It was the second time in the 2025-26 Ashes that a match finished in two days, after the series opener in Perth ended in a similar manner. While Australia won the first Test by a margin of eight wickets, the fourth Test in Melbourne produced a different outcome. Having already clinched the Ashes Urn, the home team was aiming for a fourth consecutive victory, but England rallied to narrow the series gap to 3-1.

20 wickets fell on the opening day of the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with both sides being reduced to first innings scores below 200. The Aussies were bowled out for just 152 runs in their first innings, with Josh Tongue running riot with a five-wicket haul. England was also dismissed for a mere 110 runs, with Michael Neser picking up four wickets. The Three Lions, however, chased down the 175-run target in the end, recording a Test win on Australian soil after 15 years. 

Batters found it extremely difficult to score runs on the MCG surface due to the excessive movement and steep bounce. The pitch was scrutinized not only by former players and pundits but also by the captains of the two playing sides, Ben Stokes and Steve Smith. Match referee Jeff Crowe later decided to deem the surface as ‘unsatisfactory’, which means that the pitch did not allow a healthy contest between the bat and the ball. 

Under the ICC’s four-tier pitch rating system, ‘unsatisfactory’ falls in the third ranking category. Crowe explained the rationale behind his decision, noting that the pitch tilted heavily in favor of the bowlers, while not a single batter managed to go past the 50-run mark individually. As a result, the MCG Cricket Ground has also been handed one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

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.

Match referee Jeff Crowe’s analysis (H/T: ESPN Cricinfo)

In stark contrast to the MCG, the Perth surface was rated ‘Very Good’ by the ICC, despite that match also concluding within two days. The Boxing Day fixture proved particularly costly for Cricket Australia, resulting in an estimated AUD 10 million ($6.69 million) loss in revenue.

Australia set for changes in playing XI for Sydney Test, confirms head coach Andrew McDonald

Having already won the five-match Test series against England, Australia will be hoping to end the Ashes on a high note in Sydney. Australian head coach Andrew McDonald hinted at changes in the playing XI for the SCG clash, given the team lost the fourth Test in Melbourne. 

Andrew McDonald on Ashes
Australia head coach Andrew McDonald talked about the potential changes in the fifth Ashes Test. (via Sydney Morning Herald)

Despite having been dominant throughout, Australia was handed a humiliating four-wicket defeat by the Three Lions in the Boxing Day Test. The home side’s performance in Melbourne was marred by a batting collapse across both innings. It has generated skepticism regarding the ability of their batters to navigate tough conditions at home, particularly since no player succeeded in surpassing the 50-run mark.

Andrew McDonald, speaking after the Melbourne defeat, talked about the team’s performance as well as how the playing XI would look for the fifth and final game in Sydney. Spinner Todd Murphy might be considered for the Sydney contest. The head coach also suggested that all-rounder Beau Webster, who has not been picked even once in the Ashes, might get the go ahead, instead of Cameron Green.

I’d love to pick Todd [Murphy]… People going to debate where Cameron’s [Green] at at this point in time and how he fits. We know we’ve got a quality player [Beau Webster] sitting there waiting.

Andrew McDonald said (H/T: Fox Sports)

It remains to be seen whether Pat Cummins returns to the helm in Sydney, after he decided to sit out of the fourth Test. Cummins had already missed out on playing in two opening games in Perth and Brisbane, while recovering from a back issue. 

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