MCG punished for ‘unsatisfactory’ pitch after Boxing Day farce

Will Macpherson Mon, 29 December 2025 at 10:08 am UTC·4 min read The Melbourne pitch for the farcical Boxing Day Test has been officially graded “unsatisfactory” by the match officials. The two-day Boxing Day clash was won by England, but at a cost, with Gus Atkinson becoming the third member of their fast-bowling battery to be ruled out of the Ashes tour. He will play no part in the Sydney Test because of a hamstring injury, meaning Matthew Potts is likely to make his Ashes debut.Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has also been a cost to the finances – to the tune of £12.5m – and pride of Australian cricket, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch officially criticised by the...