Ashes 2025-26 MCG Boxing Day Test pitch controversy: ICC rating revealed

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the rating for the recently concluded Boxing Day Test between Australia and England in the Ashes 2025-26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was a highly controversial Test that ended in two days.

It was the fourth game of the five-match Test series in the Ashes 2025-26, which Australia started with a 3-0 lead, as they already secured the Ashes trophy. While the MCG Test experienced 20 wickets falling on the opening day, the next day had the result of England’s victory by four wickets after the fall of 16 wickets. 

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Ashes 2025-26, 4th Test: MCG pitch receives “unsatisfactory” mark

The MCG pitch was too pacer-friendly, as there wasn’t a single delivery from the spinner. Even the MCG curator Matt Page was also shocked by the pitch result. Observing the entire situation, the ICC match referee for the game, Jeff Crowe, has marked the pitch “unsatisfactory” – the third rank among the four-ranked pitch rating system. 

The “unsatisfactory” pitch rating comes when the pitch "does not allow an even contest between bat and ball… by favouring the bowlers too much, with too many wicket-taking opportunities for either seam or spin".

The match referee Jeff Crowe called the pitch “too much in favour of the bowlers”, as it earned one demerit point due to getting an “unsatisfactory” rating.

Crowe 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."

However, in the previous three Boxing Day Tests, the MCG received the “very good” rating for those pitches, as the latest demerit point is unlikely to affect the MCG.

Earlier, the Perth Test of the series, which was the five-match series opener, also ended in two days. However, that pitch received the “very good” rating.

We were disappointed for the fans: CA chief of cricket

Cricket Australia (CA) chief of cricket, James Allsopp, recently spoke about the disappointment of bringing hopeless events for the fans due to very early finishes of the exciting Test matches of the series, while many fans were holding tickets for the third and fourth days. 

Allsopp stated, "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.”

However, Allsopp is hopeful to bring a better and more satisfying experience to the fans in the upcoming future Tests at the MCG, as the venue will also host the 2026 Boxing Day Test against New Zealand, and the 150th Anniversary Test against England in March 2027. 

The CA chief of cricket added, "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 Boxing Day Test against New Zealand and the hugely anticipated 150th Anniversary Test against England in March 2027."