"Test match bowlers don't need this amount of movement..." - MCG pitch under scanner after 20 wickets on Day 1 of 4th Ashes 2025-26 Test match

The Boxing Day Test of the Ashes 2025-26 started in an exciting way, as the jam-packed Melbourne Cricket Ground experienced 20 wickets on the opening day. The MCG pitch is under scrutiny, as the former cricketers are unimpressed with the track.

The MCG Test started with already set series, as the hosts Australia are leading this series by 3-0 with two matches yet to be completed. Australia are playing with four fast bowlers, as both captains wanted to bowl first in the MCG Test, where the pitch has 10mm grass on the surface, and the temperature is cooler than normal this period. 

After Australia were bowled out for 152 runs, England were bundled out for only 110 runs. With 4/0 in their second innings, Australia ended the opening day with the 46 runs lead. 

The pitch is doing too much: Stuart Broad

Former English pacer Stuart Broad feels that the bowlers don't need too much movement. 

Broad said on SEN Radio, "The pitch is doing too much, if I'm brutally honest. Test match bowlers don't need this amount of movement to look threatening. Great Test matches pitches, generally, they bounce, but they don't jag all over the place."

Watch: All wickets to fall on Day 1 of Boxing Day 4th Ashes 2025/26 Test in Melbourne

It was an unfair contest: Alastair Cook

Meanwhile, former English captain Alastair Cook feels that it was an unfair contest. He has a doubt about the pitch flattening on the second day of the Test match.

Cook said, "The bowlers didn't have to work hard for their wickets. It was an unfair contest. I don't know how you hit it [the ball]. If this flattens out tomorrow then fine, it's an even contest over three or four days. But I don't think this is particularly even."

Only Australian cricketer Michael Neser (35) and English cricketer Harry Brook (41) managed to reach the 30-run mark on the opening day of the Test match. Even former Australian greats have also raised their voices on the pitch. 

That pitch has got too much life in it for Test cricket: Glenn McGrath

Legendary Australian pacer Glenn McGrath believes that the pitch is too good for the pacers.

Glenn McGrath told the BBC: "This pitch has got far too much grass on it… That pitch has got too much life in it for Test cricket… The Australians bowled well [but] it's hard to apply yourself on a pitch that's doing plenty because if you're looking to defend, one's got your name on it. You've got to find that balance between somehow keeping balls out while still looking to score."

I wouldn't be complaining at the end of the day if I was a [current] fast bowler: Brett Lee

Another former Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee had a similar view on the latest MCG track, which he closely looked at in the morning.