The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch used in the recent two-day Boxing Day Ashes Test has been officially rated as “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council (ICC). This rating marks a rare occurrence for Australia, with the venue receiving one demerit point as part of the ICC’s pitch-monitoring system. If a cricket ground accumulates six demerit points over a five-year period, it faces a 12-month suspension from hosting international matches.

This is the first time an Australian pitch has been deemed substandard since the ICC overhauled its evaluation system two years ago.

What Happened During the Match?

The Boxing Day Test saw an extraordinary 36 wickets fall across six sessions, with pace bowlers benefiting from excessive seam movement. According to match referee Jeff Crowe, “The MCG pitch was too much in favour of the bowlers. With 20 wickets falling on the first day, 16 on the second day, and no batter even reaching a half-century, the pitch was ‘Unsatisfactory’ as per the ICC guidelines.”

England won the match by four wickets, with Travis Head’s 46 in Australia’s second innings being the highest individual score.

Why the Pitch Was So Lively

MCG curator Matthew Page left approximately 10mm of grass on the pitch to counter the hot conditions forecast during the Test. This decision, while well-intentioned, contributed to lively and unpredictable pitch behavior, favouring bowlers over batters. Page expressed that he was in a “state of shock” at how quickly the match unfolded.

ICC Pitch Rating System

The ICC classifies pitches on a scale ranging from “poor” to “very good”, with “unsatisfactory” being the second-lowest rating. Pitches that fail to meet standards receive demerit points for the venue, intended to encourage better preparation and consistency in international cricket surfaces.

Despite the rating, this year’s controversy should be viewed in context with previous MCG pitches. In 2017, the surface was rated “poor” for offering too little assistance to bowlers, resulting in a dull contest where only 24 wickets fell. In 2018, the pitch for Australia’s win against India was rated “average.” Meanwhile, the first Ashes Test in Perth this series was rated “very good,” suggesting that batter performance may play a larger role in the match outcome than conditions alone.

Support for Curator Matt Page

Australia coach Andrew McDonald publicly defended Page following the ICC announcement, highlighting the curator’s efforts to improve the MCG over recent years. “He does an outstanding job,” McDonald said. “The perspective I always use is that sometimes these things can happen. We support him in what he’s done and are proud of the evolution of the MCG. Hopefully, people can have some context around his journey and support him for the next challenge.”

Looking Ahead

The ICC’s “unsatisfactory” rating has sparked debates across the cricketing community, raising questions about pitch preparation, player safety, and the balance between bat and ball in Test matches. Fans, players, and administrators alike will now be watching how the MCG adapts for future high-profile matches, especially in upcoming Ashes series.