The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch as unsatisfactory following the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England, which ended inside two days. The Boxing Day Test witnessed an extraordinary collapse of batting, with 20 wickets falling on the opening day alone.
MCG received demerit point by ICC
According to an ICC release, match referee Jeff Crowe concluded that the MCG surface heavily favoured bowlers throughout the contest. A total of 20 wickets fell on Day 1, followed by 16 more on Day 2, with no batter managing to register a half-century.
“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 rated ‘unsatisfactory’ as per the guidelines and the venue receives one demerit point,” Crowe stated.
The fourth Ashes Test was the second match of the series to finish within two days, following the opening Test in Perth earlier this month.
ICC pitch rating rules explained
Under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, venues are penalised when playing surfaces are deemed substandard. Pitches rated as unsatisfactory attract one demerit point, while those classified as unfit receive three demerit points.
These demerit points remain on record for a rolling five-year period. A venue accumulating six demerit points faces a 12-month ban from hosting international cricket, while reaching 12 points results in a 24-month suspension.
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