ICC Declares MCG Pitch Unsatisfactory After Two-Day Ashes Test Finish

The International Cricket Council has officially rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch as “unsatisfactory” following the abrupt conclusion of the fourth Ashes Test, which ended inside just two days. The assessment has reignited debate around pitch preparation, competitive balance, and the commercial impact of shortened Test matches.

Under the ICC’s four-tier pitch rating system, an “unsatisfactory” grade is the second lowest possible outcome. It is used when conditions are deemed excessively favourable to either batting or bowling. In this case, the governing body concluded that the surface offered bowlers a disproportionate advantage.

Match referee Jeff Crowe confirmed the decision, pointing to the extraordinary number of wickets that fell during the match. A total of 20 wickets tumbled on the opening day, followed by 16 more on day two. Across four innings, not a single batter managed to reach a half-century, underlining how difficult conditions were for scoring runs.

The rating brought an end to the MCG’s recent run of strong evaluations, with the iconic venue having earned “very good” ratings for the previous three Boxing Day Tests. As per ICC regulations, the ground has also received one demerit point as a result of the ruling.

England secured a four-wicket victory in the final session of day two, sealing the match in a contest dominated almost entirely by seam bowling. While the Perth Test earlier in the series also finished inside two days, that surface was judged far more balanced and retained a “very good” rating.

The MCG wicket was prepared with around 10 millimetres of grass, a decision that produced significant movement and bounce for fast bowlers. While such conditions are not uncommon in Australia, the extent of assistance made batting a major challenge throughout the match.

The financial consequences have been substantial. Cricket Australia is reportedly facing an estimated revenue shortfall of around AUD 10 million due to ticket refunds for days three and four. Officials acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans both at the ground and watching globally.

Cricket Australia’s chief of cricket, James Allsopp, said the pitch failed to deliver the traditional balance expected at the MCG. However, he also praised the ground staff’s long-term record of producing high-quality Test wickets.

Australia coach Andrew McDonald publicly defended curator Matt Page, arguing that occasional poor Tests are part of the game. He stressed that players, particularly batters, must also take responsibility for performances and warned against administrative interference in pitch preparation.

Cricket Australia will conduct its own end-of-season review, with chief executive Todd Greenberg previously stating that shorter Tests are “bad for business.” Despite this, McDonald maintained that Australia should avoid moving towards tailor-made surfaces, preserving the independence of curators.

Australia currently lead the Ashes series 3-1, with the final Test set to begin in Sydney on Sunday.