KEY POINTS
- MCG received an ICC ‘unsatisfactory’ rating and one demerit point.
- England won a two-day fourth Test after 36 wickets fell in 142 overs.
- Final Test set to be played at the SCG starting January 4.
ISLAMABAD: The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which hosted the fourth Ashes test, has been rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
The venue received one demerit point under the ICC pitch and outfield monitoring process. The verdict was delivered by match referee Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC elite panel, who stated: “The MCG pitch was heavily in favour of the bowlers with 20 wickets falling on the first day, 16 on the second, and no batter reaching a half-century, the pitch was deemed ‘unsatisfactory’ under ICC guidelines.”
The ball dominated ball
The fourth test, which concluded in just two days, was a stark reflection of the challenging conditions.
England won the toss and chose to bowl, bundling out Australia for 152, with Josh Tongue taking 5/45.
England then collapsed for 110 in under 30 overs. Australia, batting again on the same day, managed only 132 in their second innings, with Travis Head’s 46 being the highest individual score of the entire match.
England secure consolation win
England chased down the required 175 runs in 32.2 overs on day two, losing six wickets.
Contributions from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Jacob Bethell sealed a consolation victory, England’s first test win in Australia since 2011.
Despite the win, Australia had already retained the urn by winning the first three tests, taking an unassailable 3–0 series lead.
Series moves to Sydney
In total, 36 wickets fell in just 142 overs across the two days, with no batter passing fifty. the series now concludes with the fifth and final test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, beginning January 4.
