The Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch has found itself in the spotlight after the fourth Test between Australia and England ended far sooner than expected. According to reports, the International Cricket Council is set to hand the MCG surface an “unsatisfactory” rating following a match that wrapped up in under two days.
Match referee Jeff Crowe is expected to make the grading official. The Test was one of the shortest in recent memory, raising concerns about pitch balance and player safety.
ICC Set to Hand MCG Pitch an Unsatisfactory Rating
The Melbourne Test was the second match of the ongoing Ashes series and followed a similar pattern to the opening Test in Perth. Both games ended quickly and heavily favored fast bowlers, making life extremely tough for batters.
At the MCG, the pitch offered consistent movement for seamers from start to finish. With about 10 mm of grass left on the surface, a total of 36 wickets fell in just 142 overs. The match was completed after only 852 deliveries, making it the first completed Test in Australia where spin bowlers were not used at all.
Because of these conditions, match referee Jeff Crowe is set to grade the pitch as “unsatisfactory.”
ICC and Cricket Australia Unlikely to Appeal Decision
Australian journalist Tom Morris has reported that the decision is largely a formality, with neither the ICC nor Cricket Australia expected to challenge the rating. He also highlighted the contrast with the Perth Test, which received a far more favorable assessment despite also ending quickly.
“The MCG pitch will be graded ‘unsatisfactory’ by match referee Jeff Crowe. It’s just formalities now at the ICC and CA aren’t expected to appeal,” Morris wrote.
“The Perth pitch, which saw 19 wickets fall on day one and the Test finish five balls quicker than the MCG, was rated ‘very good.’ Expect this grading to be made official in the next 24 hours or so,” he added.
Read More
The MCG pitch will be graded ‘unsatisfactory’ by match referee Jeff Crowe.
It’s just formalities now at the ICC, and CA aren’t expected to appeal.
What an Unsatisfactory Pitch Rating Means
Australia’s troubles from the Melbourne Test extended beyond the result itself. The loss marked their first home defeat to England since 2011. The early finish also hurt Cricket Australia financially, as the third day had already been sold out.
Under the ICC’s pitch rating system, a surface that falls below acceptable standards is labeled either “unsatisfactory” or “unfit.” An “unsatisfactory” pitch receives one demerit point, while an “unfit” pitch earns three. These points stay on record for five years.
If a venue collects six demerit points during that period, it faces a 12-month ban from hosting international matches. Twelve points would lead to a two-year suspension. Even a single negative rating serves as a warning and places the venue under closer observation moving forward.
England End Long Wait for Test Win in Australia
From the opening session, the pitch was clearly designed for fast bowlers. A total of 20 wickets fell on day one alone, with both teams’ seam attacks thriving.
Josh Tongue starred for England, picking up five wickets to bowl Australia out for just 152 in the first innings. Australia responded strongly with the ball in England’s second innings, as Michael Neser and Scott Boland worked together to limit the damage and secure a slim 42-run lead.
The match took a dramatic turn during England’s run chase. Their batters went on the attack and chased down a target of 175 at a brisk run rate of 5.5 runs per over.
That chase sealed England’s first Test win in Australia in nearly 15 years. Despite the setback, Australia still leads the Ashes series 3-1, with the final Test set to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
ALSO READ: Tim David Injury Shock Leaves Australia Sweating Before T20 World Cup
