sports
December 26, 2025
‘That wicket is a shocker’: former Ashes players question state of MCG pitch
Cook: ‘It’s been too heavily weighted towards the bowlers’
TL;DR
- A record crowd of 94,199 attended the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the MCG.
- The match saw 20 wickets fall on the first day, with both teams bowled out in under 76 overs.
- Former players including Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, and Stuart Broad criticized the pitch for being too bowler-friendly.
- Ricky Ponting questioned the groundskeepers' decision to leave more grass on the pitch compared to previous years.
- The quick finish to the previous Test in Perth already caused significant financial losses for Cricket Australia.
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