Ashes 2025-26: Former players slam ‘unfair’ MCG pitch as wickets tumble in fourth Test

As 20 wickets fell on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday, the carnage prompted sharp ‍criticism from former England cricketers who questioned whether the pitch at the ​Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) offered a fair contest.

Ex-England skipper Michael Vaughan ‌said the record crowd of 94,199 at the ​MCG were “royally entertained” as they watched the most wickets to fall on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909, but slammed the pitch after both line-ups crumbled in spectacular fashion.

England won the toss and elected to field, bowling out Australia for 152 before the visitor was dismissed for 110. Australia was 4-0 at ​stumps, leading by 46 runs heading into day two.

ALSO READ: Tongue encourages England bowlers to replicate impressive opening day display

“We’re always looking for a fair balance between bat and ball. I thought that was unfair for the batters,” Vaughan told the BBC.

“The pitch has done plenty. There’s been plenty ​of movement out there. It’s not been easy for both sides, but I don’t like seeing a pitch do so much.”

‘UNFAIR CONTEST’

Another ex-captain and opening batter, Alastair Cook, was equally unimpressed and said it was “not a ‌great Test match wicket” as England was dismissed in just ‌29.5 overs.

“Unless this flattens on days two, three, four — if we get there — that was too heavily weighed ‍in the bowlers’ favour,” Cook told TNT Sports.

“I think it was an unfair contest. Could both sides have battled slightly better? Yes, but ‍I was watching some of that bowling, and I don’t know how you face that.”

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad said the pitch was “doing too much” and that Test bowlers “don’t need this amount of movement to look threatening”, while ex-Australian pacer Glenn McGrath said it had too much grass.

ALSO READ: Funding delays and administrative lapses derail USA Cricket’s World Cup preparations

“That pitch has too much life in it for Test cricket. It was 10mm of grass when I think 7mm would have been better, but I think he (the groundsman) was more concerned with what was happening on days three, ​four and five,” McGrath said.

However, he also said the conditions could favour England later on when it bats for a second time.

“The weather is getting warmer, which will have an impact on top of the rollers,” he added. “So it could get to the stage where England is batting in the fourth innings, in the best batting conditions of the match.”

Published on Dec 26, 2025