The International cricket Council (ICC) has rated the pitch of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ”unsatisfactory” after the fourth Ashes Test ended inside two days
Under the ICC’s four-tier rating system ”unsatisfactory” is the second lowest, characterising a pitch ”favouring the bowlers too much”.
It broke the venue’s streak of ”very good” ratings for the past three Boxing Day Tests and earned it one demerit point.
The first Test in Perth also ended in two days, but that pitch was rated ”very good” by the ICC.
MCG curator Matt Page ansd his team left 10 millimetres (0.4 inches) of grass on the wicket, providing the seamers with movement and bounce and making batting treacherous.
The carnage left Cricket Australia facing Aus$10 million (US$6.7 million) in revenue shortfall, with tickets for day three and four needing to be refunded.
Australia lead the series 3-1 with the fifth and final Test in Sydney starting Sunday, January 4, 2026.