The MCG curator said he was in a state of shock after the Boxing Day Test between England and Australia ended in just two days, with wickets falling quickly on a pitch that heavily favoured bowlers.
The two-day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw England claim their first Test win in Australia since 2011, but the surface came under strong criticism. A total of 36 wickets fell in six sessions, raising concerns about pitch preparation.
Despite England’s win, questions were asked about the quality of the pitch, with fears the early finish could cost Cricket Australia around A$10m in lost revenue. The curator admitted the pitch did not behave as expected and said lessons would be learned.
The match has reignited debate around Ashes pitch standards, especially at the MCG, where organisers had hoped for a five-day spectacle.
