The ICC has rated the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), used for the fourth Ashes Test, as “unsatisfactory”, handing the venue one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
England won the Boxing Day Test in less than 32 hours, with 36 wickets falling for 572 runs across 142 overs, securing their first win of the series by four wickets.
The nature of the surface came under scrutiny as no batter from either side managed to score a half-century, a rare occurrence in Australian Test cricket that had not happened since 1932. Australia’s Travis Head, with 46 in the second innings, was the highest individual scorer of the match.
Match referee Jeff Crowe, from the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, explained the decision:
“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.”
Match referee Jeff Crowe hands down verdict on the MCG pitch used for the Boxing Day Test #WTC27 | #AUSvENG
https://t.co/YdKIf8RBQu— ICC (@ICC) December 29, 2025
Cricket Australia Chief of Cricket James Allsopp expressed disappointment over the outcome, particularly for the fans:
“We were disappointed for the fans holding tickets for days three and four, and also the millions of fans excited to watch the action in Australia and around the world, that the pitch did not provide the MCG’s customary balance between bat and ball. We appreciate the outstanding work the MCC staff have done over recent years, producing excellent Test match pitches.”
“We’re confident they will deliver first-rate surfaces for next year’s NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test against New Zealand and the hugely anticipated 150th Anniversary Test against England in March 2027.”
Having lost the first three Tests, England came into the fourth match under pressure. After winning the toss and opting to bat, both sides struggled on a bowler-friendly surface throughout the contest. England pacer Josh Tongue led the bowling effort with figures of 5 for 45, dismissing Australia for 152, the first five-wicket haul by an England bowler at the MCG since 1998.
Despite their success with the ball, England’s batting faltered in the first innings as they were bowled out for 110 in under 30 overs, allowing Australia to take a 42-run lead.
Similar to the Perth Test, the fourth Ashes Test concluded inside two days, underlining the lack of balance offered by the pitch.
While England secured their first Test victory in Australia since 2011, Australia had already retained the Ashes after taking a 3-0 lead in the first three Tests. The final match of the series will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on January 4.