NEW DELHI: The opening day of the Boxing Day fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground came under scrutiny after 20 wickets fell, raising concerns over whether the MCG surface could be penalised by the ICC.
The MCG pitch drew criticism from all quarters, with both Australian and England players voicing their displeasure over the way it behaved on Day 1.
"The pitch is a shocker. For a Test match first day, it's just done far too much. It's actually done it quicker when Australia bowled, it just seems to be nipping quicker. That ball is nipping back from Boland to the right-handers, you question technique and of course you can play it better but they're so difficult to face when they're nipping back like that," former England captain Michael Vaughan said on BBC Test Match Special.
Speaking on ABC Sport, former Aussie batter Darren Lehmann described the Melbourne surface as "worse" than the pitch used for the series opener in Perth, where 19 wickets fell on the opening day and the match was wrapped up inside two days.
Meanwhile, former England pacer Stuart Broad told SEN Radio that the pitch was "doing too much," adding that Test match bowlers do not require such excessive movement to appear threatening.
Is penalty on the cards for Boxing Day surface?
The ICC follows a four-tier pitch rating system for Test matches. The highest grade is "very good," followed by "satisfactory." If a surface is deemed "unsatisfactory" and "unfit," demerit points are imposed. However, the MCG pitch is unlikely to be classified as "unfit," a label reserved for surfaces considered dangerous. As a result, the only potential sanction the venue could face would stem from an "unsatisfactory" rating.
For a pitch to be deemed 'unsatisfactory' it must be: "A pitch that does not allow an even contest between bat and ball: either by favouring the batters too much, with minimal wicket-taking opportunities for both seam and spin, or by favouring the bowlers too much with too many wicket-taking opportunities for either seam or spin."
How the Day 1 unfolded
Australia collapsed for 152 yet still claimed a 42-run lead over England on the first innings in a remarkable opening day.
The day's play unfolded before a world-record crowd for a day of cricket at the MCG. The attendance figure of 94,199 beat the 93,013 for the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG.
Australia were 4-0 in their second innings at stumps, an overall lead of 46 runs, after having to bat through one nervous over before stumps.
Josh Tongue claimed a career-best 5-45 as England bowled Australia out after winning the toss and bowling. In reply, England made 110 in 29.5 overs as Michael Neser grabbed 4-45.
