US EditionPublished • loading... • Updated
ICC Slaps MCG with 'Unsatisfactory' Rating After Two-Day Ashes Test
The ICC gave the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch a demerit for excessive bowler advantage causing 36 wickets in two days and no batter reaching a half-century.
- On Monday, the International Cricket Council rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch `Unsatisfactory`, handing the venue one demerit point after the Boxing Day Test ended inside two days.
- MCG curator Matthew Page's preparation left extra grass on the wicket, with his team leaving 10 millimetres that produced seam and bounce, while Cricket Australia advisers debated influence, with Les Burdett urging curators to heed coaches and Andrew McDonald cautioning against `tailor made` surfaces.
- About $25 million in costs were reported for the shortened Test, leaving Cricket Australia facing an Aus$10 million revenue shortfall and broadcaster upset.
- Players and administrators criticised the wicket's balance, with Ben Stokes saying it `wasn't great for the game` and Cricket Australia calling it `bad for business`, while MCG curator Matthew Page apologised, saying he was `in a state of shock`.
- Historically, the MCG had earned top marks in recent Boxing Day Tests, with the last three pitches rated very good including the 2024 Boxing Day Test, while a 2017 poor rating after Alastair Cook’s innings prompted Matthew Page’s recruitment.
Insights by Ground AI
30 Articles
30 Articles
Controversial MCG Pitch Sparks Debate After Dramatic Two-Day Ashes Test | Sports-Games
The ICC has criticized the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch as "unsatisfactory" after the fourth Ashes Test ended swiftly, favoring bowlers. With 36 wickets in 142 overs and no half-centuries, the ground gets a demerit point. England clinched their first Test win in Australia since 2011, although Australia secured the Ashes.
·India
Read Full Article
MCG pitch for Boxing Day Ashes Test rated unsatisfactoryMCG pitch for Boxing Day Ashes Test rated Unsatisfactory - The Tribune
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch has been rated 'unsatisfactory' by the ICC after the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England ended in just two days, as per the ICC's website.
·Chandigarh, India
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources30
Leaning Left13Leaning Right5Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Left
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Left
54% Left
L 54%
C 25%
R 21%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
