Archive · 30 Dec 2025
ICC Rates MCG Pitch Unsatisfactory
The fourth Ashes Test match between England and Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) finished very quickly, in just two days.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said the pitch was not good because it made it too easy for bowlers to take wickets and too hard for batters to score runs.
They gave the MCG one demerit point.
Many people, including former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Aakash Chopra, criticized the pitch and the way it was rated.
They said it was not fair and made the game less interesting.
Cricket Australia also said the pitch was bad for business because fans who bought tickets for the extra days did not get to see much cricket.
The match ended with Australia leading the series 3-1, and the next Test will be in Sydney.
Additionally, England's Gus Atkinson was ruled out of the final Ashes Test due to a hamstring injury.
The fourth Ashes Test at MCG finished in two days with 36 wickets falling in 142 overs.
ICC rated the MCG pitch as 'unsatisfactory' and handed the venue one demerit point.
The pitch was deemed too much in favor of bowlers, making it hard for batters to score.
Critics like Sunil Gavaskar and Aakash Chopra criticized the pitch and its rating.
Cricket Australia expressed disappointment, stating the pitch was bad for business and fans.
- Who
- ICC, Sunil Gavaskar, Aakash Chopra, Cricket Australia, England and Australia teams
- What
- ICC rated MCG pitch as unsatisfactory and criticized for being too bowler-friendly
- When
- After the fourth Ashes Test
- Where
- Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia
- Why
- The pitch was deemed too much in favor of bowlers, leading to a quick match conclusion
Critics of Pitch Quality
Defenders of Pitch Quality
Pitch Favoritism
Critics of Pitch Quality
The pitch was too much in favor of bowlers, making it unfair for batters.
Defenders of Pitch Quality
The pitch provided a challenging but fair contest between bat and ball.
Match Duration
Critics of Pitch Quality
The match ending in two days is bad for the sport and business.
Defenders of Pitch Quality
Two-day Test matches can also be exciting and engaging.
- Event
- Fourth Ashes Test at MCG
- Match Duration
- Completed in two days
- Pitch Rating
- Unsatisfactory
- Demerit Points
- 1
- Wickets Fallen
- 36 wickets in 142 overs
- Series Result
- Australia leads 3-1
- Next Test
- Sydney, January 4
Sources
Sunil Gavaskar’s sarcastic comments on MCG pitch: ‘Might drop the word ‘very’ from the ‘very good’ that Madugalle gave for the Perth pitch’
Too bowler-friendly! ICC punishes MCG pitch
ICC rates MCG pitch ‘unsatisfactory’ after Boxing day Test ends in two days
Aakash Chopra on MCG Test: “Match ended in Ahmedabad in two days, a BBC report said, ‘death of Test cricket.’ Here, they say it’s actually not bad”
ICC rates MCG pitch ‘unsatisfactory’, hands venue one demerit point after two-day Ashes Test
ICC Come Down Hard On MCG Pitch After Two-Day Ashes Test; Surface Rated ''Unsatisfactory'
ICC rates MCG pitch ‘Unsatisfactory’
ICC rates MCG pitch ‘Unsatisfactory’ as Boxing Day Test ends inside two days
Ashes 2025-26: ICC labels Melbourne pitch as 'unsatisfactory' after fourth Test ends in two days
Pitch For Two-day Ashes Test Rated 'Unsatisfactory' By ICC
England’s Gus Atkinson ruled out of final Ashes Test with hamstring injury
Not Delhi. Not Kanpur: Iconic Australian venue gets ‘unsatisfactory’ rating from ICC
ICC rates MCG pitch ‘unsatisfactory’
