After a wave of controversy and a brief pause, the Ashes returned with all its red-ball intensity as England and Australia locked horns in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While the historic rivalry once again took centre stage, it was the pitch that quickly became the talking point.
Also Read: Faster than Gilly: Harry Brook rewrites history amidst England’s Ashes horror
At the iconic venue, fast bowlers found ideal conditions while batters struggled to survive on a surface offering sharp pace and movement from the outset. As the contest unfolded into a bowler-dominated affair, former England pacer Stuart Broad did not hold back in his assessment of the MCG pitch.
Stuart Broad delivers blunt verdict on MCG surface
The Ashes has delivered plenty of drama, but for England, the series has spiralled into a nightmare following three consecutive defeats. Holding a commanding 3-0 lead, Australia entered the fourth Test in Melbourne aiming to press home their dominance as fans hoped for a closely fought Boxing Day contest.
England won the toss and chose to bowl, a decision that initially paid rich dividends. Josh Tongue ran through the Australian batting line-up with a sensational five-wicket haul, dismissing the hosts for just 152. However, any optimism was short-lived once England took to the field with the bat.
Australia’s fast bowlers responded with equal ferocity, exploiting the lively surface to devastating effect. The excessive movement on offer became a focal point, prompting Broad to share his candid view.
“The pitch is doing too much, if I’m brutally honest. Test match bowlers don’t need this much assistance to look threatening,” Broad remarked.
Australia tighten grip as England’s struggles deepen
Despite their early success with the ball, England’s hopes of redemption quickly unravelled. Chasing momentum at the MCG, Ben Stokes and his side instead endured yet another batting collapse.
England lost four wickets for just 16 runs in their first innings as Australia’s quicks applied relentless pressure. Partnerships never materialised, and the same pitch that once offered England hope turned into their biggest adversary. Reduced to 91 for nine, the visitors were left well short of posting a competitive total, allowing Australia to tighten their stranglehold on the match and the series.
