Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Match refereeing by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the 2025–26 series fourth ashes test After being given an ‘unsatisfactory’ pitch rating, the match ended with a shocking 36 wickets falling within two days. The decision is a rare black mark against one of cricket’s most iconic venues and has prompted internal reviews ahead of the next Test in Sydney.
The match statistics tell a clear story. Australia all out at 152 and 132while England were all out for 110 in their first innings as the bowlers dominated the game from the first session to the last ball.
ICC pitch rating system: how are surfaces assessed?
In November 2023, the ICC simplified its pitch assessment system, dividing the ratings into four categories (including three categories 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 deterioration – resulting in one demerit point.
- Incorrect: Dangerous or unsportsmanlike situations that jeopardize player safety – resulting in three demerit points.
Demerit points are tracked on a five-year rotating period. If a venue accumulates five or more points, it can be suspended from hosting international matches for 12 months, while 10 points trigger a 24-month ban.
Why was the MCG surface declared ‘unsatisfactory’?
Match referees assess pitches using a standardized report, which tracks bounce, seam movement, wear and overall balance during a match. In this case, the MCG surface was deemed to fail the fairness test.
There was approximately 10 mm of grass on the pitch, which generated excessive seam movement throughout the match. As the match progressed, conditions remained hostile for the batsmen, producing uneven bounce and increased lateral speed, which consistently favored the fast bowlers.
Despite pre-match requests for a balanced wicket by both captains, the surface presented a one-sided contest, where the definition of batting was survival rather than skill. Officials concluded that while the pitch was not dangerous, it did not provide a fair contest between bat and ball, leading to it being labeled ‘unsatisfactory’.
A rare demerit for an iconic 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.
Although a demerit point does not put the MCG at risk of immediate punishment, it serves as a formal warning and closely monitors future preparations.
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