MCG under scrutiny after ICC flags Ashes pitch following two-day Boxing Day Test

The ICC has penalized the Melbourne Cricket Ground after rating the pitch used in the fourth Ashes Test as below standard.

Steve Smith vs Ben Stokes (Source: ICC)

The 4th Test of the Ashes 2025 ended in England's favor as they went on to win the match with four wickets to spare. But the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, came under scrutiny as the Boxing day Test ended in just two days. After consistent criticism from the cricket experts and former cricketers, ICC intervined and opnied on the pitch conditions.

The ICC handed a demerit point to the stadium because of the report submitted by match referee Jeff Crowe. Once a stadium gets six demerit points, it is banned for 12 months. In this case, this was the first point received, so they still have enough time to change the pitch conditions before the next series.

"The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue for the fourth Ashes Test, has been deemed 'Unsatisfactory' with the venue handed one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process," read a statement from the ICC.

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The MCG pitch was too much in favour of the bowlers: Jeff Crowe

The Astralia vs England clash started on December 27 and went on for just two days, before the visitors won the match. This was England's first win in the Ashes 2025 series after getting humiliated in the first three games. According to Crowe's assessment, the pitch was in favor of the bowlers which made it difficult for the batters to survive on the pitch.

This led to the falling of 20 wickets in the first innings. Crowe made it clear that the pitch was 'unsatisfactory' and that's the reason why MCG got one demerit point. The Cricket Australia (CA) will have to make changes in the pitch conditions before the start of the other matches to avoid getting more demerit points in the future.

"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," he stated.

Where to watch Australia vs England match?

Cricket fans in India can watch the Australia vs England match on January 4 online on JioHotstar, via OTTplay Premium.

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