ICC rates MCG pitch ‘unsatisfactory’ after Boxing day Test ends in two days

DUBAI: The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where the fourth Ashes Test is held, has been rated as 'unsatisfactory' and the venue received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.

England won the fourth Ashes Test in less than 32 hours, with 36 wickets falling for 572 runs off 142 overs. England won by four wickets. No player from either team managed a half-century, a feat that had not occurred in a Test match in Australia since 1932.

Jeff Crowe from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees explained the reasoning behind the pitch assessment. He stated, “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 and the venue gets one demerit point.”