Overview
- Match referee Jeff Crowe judged the Boxing Day surface at Melbourne "unsatisfactory" for excessively aiding bowlers and issued the venue a demerit point, while Perth’s pitch was rated "very good."
- The Melbourne Cricket Club accepted responsibility, with curator Matt Page saying extra grass was left to cope with forecast heat and noting unexpected bounce after a day under covers.
- Australia lead the series 3–1 heading into the SCG Test on Jan. 4, with England coming off a two-day win in Melbourne but losing seamer Gus Atkinson to a hamstring injury and choosing not to call a replacement.
- Reports estimate the truncated matches cost Cricket Australia about $30 million, even as broadcasters logged record audiences for the two-day MCG Test.
- Reactions spanned sharp criticism of batting and preparation, with Matthew Hayden calling Australia’s scorecard "unacceptable," Greg Chappell questioning player professionalism, and coach Andrew McDonald indicating Usman Khawaja is not set to retire in Sydney.