Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) The pitch has been given an ‘unsatisfactory’ rating by the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee. fourth ashes test of the 2025–26 series, a game which ended with the fall of 36 wickets within two days. The decision represents a rare black mark against one of cricket’s most iconic venues and an internal review has begun ahead of the next Test in Sydney.
The match statistics clearly tell the story. Australia was out for 152 and 132 runs.While England were all out for 110 in their first innings as the bowlers dominated from the opening session till the last ball.
ICC pitch rating system: how are surfaces rated?
In November 2023, the ICC streamlined its pitch evaluation framework, reducing ratings into four categories (with three for the outfield):
- Very good: A balanced surface that provides consistent bounce and carry, limited early seam and natural spin later in the match.
- Satisfactory: Acceptable for competitive cricket, with minor inconsistencies but no excessive bias towards bat or ball.
- Unsatisfactory: Excessive seam movement, uneven bounce, one-sided support, or rapid degradation – resulting in a demerit point.
- Ineligible: Dangerous or unplayable conditions that compromise player safety – earning three demerit points.
Demerit points are tracked over a five-year rolling period. A venue earning five or more points faces a suspension from hosting international matches for 12 months, while earning 10 points results in a 24-month ban.
Why was the MCG surface rated ‘unsatisfactory’?
Match referees assess pitches using a standardized report that tracks bounce, seam movement, wear and overall balance throughout the match. In this case, the MCG surface was deemed to have failed the fairness test.
There was approximately 10 mm of grass on the pitch, creating excessive seam movement throughout the contest. As the match progressed, conditions remained unfavorable for the batsmen rather than becoming easier, leading to irregular bounce and exaggerated lateral movement which consistently favored the fast bowlers.
Despite pre-match requests from both captains for a balanced wicket, the surface delivered a one-sided contest where survival, rather than skill, defined the batting. Officials concluded that although the pitch was not dangerous, it did not provide a proper competition between bat and ball, necessitating an ‘unsatisfactory’ label.
Also read: Ashes 2025-26: Ben Stokes and Steve Smith criticize MCG pitch after fourth Test ends in two days
A rare demerit for a prestigious venue
First such rating for MCG in years
The MCG has historically enjoyed a strong reputation for producing competitive Test wickets, making this assessment particularly noteworthy. This is the first unsatisfactory rating for the venue in many years, underscoring the seriousness of the ICC’s findings.
While a single demerit point does not put the MCG in immediate danger of sanctions, it serves as a formal warning and puts future preparations under closer scrutiny.
