ICC Rates MCG Pitch 'Unsatisfactory' After Two-Day Ashes Test
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch as 'unsatisfactory' following a two-day Ashes Test between England and Australia. This rating results in the venue receiving one demerit point. Head curator Matthew Page expressed shock at how the wicket played, noting the surface had about 10mm of grass and produced significant seam movement. Match referee Jeff Crowe stated that the pitch excessively favored bowlers, with 20 wickets falling on Day 1, 16 on Day 2, and no batter reaching a half-century during the match.
ICC's pitch rating categories include very good, satisfactory, unsatisfactory, or unfit. Accumulating six demerit points within five years can trigger a 12-month ban from hosting international matches. Earlier in the series, the Perth Test also finished in two days but had been rated 'very good' by the ICC, contrasting with the Melbourne pitch evaluation.
England won the Melbourne Test by four wickets, reducing their series deficit to 3-1 with one Test remaining in Sydney. The curtailed Melbourne Test impacted Cricket Australia financially, with an estimated loss of around £5 million due to ticket refunds, and lost merchandise and food and beverage sales. Despite a sell-out crowd of about 90,000 expected for day three, the early finish led to revenue losses and refunds for fans.
