Particle.news
Download on the App Store

England End 15-Year Wait With Two-Day MCG Win as Pitch Faces Scrutiny

Cricket Australia says rapid finishes hurt revenues, foreshadowing tighter pitch oversight.

Overview

  • England chased 175 to beat Australia by four wickets at the MCG, their first Test win in Australia since 2011, trimming the series deficit to 3-1 with the SCG finale to come.
  • The match finished inside two days with 36 wickets falling overall, including 20 on the opening day in seaming conditions.
  • The surface drew heavy criticism after curator Matt Page left 10mm of grass, with former players calling it overly bowler-friendly and Steve Smith conceding it did more than intended.
  • Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg said short Tests are bad for business and signaled a potential closer role in pitch preparation, with reports of multi-million-dollar losses from Perth and Melbourne.
  • Josh Tongue took seven wickets for the match, Brydon Carse claimed 4-34 in Australia's second innings, and England's Gus Atkinson left with a hamstring strain that puts his availability in doubt.