MCG Pitch Receives 'Unsatisfactory' Rating From ICC After Australia vs England 4th Ashes 2025-26 Test Match Ends in Two Days

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially rated the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) as "unsatisfactory" following the conclusion of the 2025 Boxing Day Ashes Test. The match, which saw England secure their first victory of the tour against Australia, ended in less than two sessions on the second day, sparking immediate concerns regarding the balance between bat and ball. England Breaks 14-Year Drought With Controversial Two-Day Victory in AUS vs ENG Ashes 4th Test 2025–26.

Rapid Conclusion Raises Concerns

The Test match lasted only five sessions, making it one of the shortest in the history of the Ashes. Match referee Jeff Crowe submitted a report citing inconsistent bounce and excessive lateral movement early in the game as the primary reasons for the poor rating.

According to the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, an unsatisfactory rating is applied when a surface provides an "unfavorable" contest, often characterized by excessive seam movement or unpredictable bounce that puts batters at an unfair disadvantage.

Impact on World Test Championship

Under current ICC regulations, the MCG will receive one demerit point. If a venue accumulates five demerit points over a five-year rolling period, it faces a 12-month suspension from hosting international cricket.

Cricket Australia (CA) acknowledged the rating and confirmed it would conduct a thorough review with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) grounds team. Officials noted that while they strive for a "result wicket," the speed at which this match concluded fell short of the expectations for a marquee five-day event.

Historic Context and Venue Pressure

This is not the first time the MCG has faced scrutiny. The venue previously received a "poor" rating following a draw against England in 2017, which led to a significant overhaul of the square and the installation of new drop-in pitches.

While recent years had seen an improvement in the quality of the Melbourne surfaces, the 2025-26 Ashes encounter has renewed debates over the preparation of drop-in wickets for high-stakes Test matches. Fans and broadcasters have also expressed disappointment, as the early finish resulted in the loss of three days of highly anticipated holiday cricket. Ben Duckett Completes 3,000 Runs In Tests, Achieves Feat During AUS vs ENG Ashes 4th Test 2025-26.

Next Steps for the Ashes

Despite the controversy surrounding the pitch, the result stands, helping England get a breather from their long streak of losses. The series now moves to Sydney for the New Year’s Test, where ground staff will be under pressure to provide a more durable surface for the final stages of the tour.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2025 03:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).