Sir Alastair Cook criticized the bowler-friendly pitch at the MCG during the first day of the Boxing Day Ashes Test, labeling it an “unfair contest.” Michael Vaughan echoed his sentiments, calling the pitch a “shocker.”
After winning the toss, England dismissed Australia for 152 runs in just 42.5 overs but quickly succumbed to 110 runs in 29.5 overs, marking the first time in an Ashes Test since 1950 that 20 wickets fell in a single day.
On TNT Sports, Cook remarked about the pitch, which had 10mm of grass, stating: “This is not a great Test wicket. Unless it flattens out in the next few days, it heavily favored the bowlers.”
Score Summary – Australia vs England, Fourth Ashes Test
Australia: 152 all out in 45.2 overs (Josh Tongue 5-45, Gus Atkinson 2-28); Top scorers: Michael Neser (35), Usman Khawaja (29).
England: 110 all out in 29.5 overs (Harry Brook 41, Gus Atkinson 28); Top bowlers: Michael Neser (4-45), Scott Boland (3-30).
Second Innings: Australia started 4-0 after one over.
Cook expressed concern that the bowlers didn’t have to put in much effort to claim wickets. He acknowledged that while both sides could have batted better, the conditions unfairly favored the bowlers.
Scott Boland secured figures of 3-30, consistently threatening with his bowling, while Michael Neser took four wickets and Mitchell Starc two. Cook commented that some of the bowling left him wondering how batters could face such challenges.
Did the MCG Pitch Overperform?
Cook’s colleague, Graeme Swann, also noted on TNT Sports that the pitch was overly conducive to fast bowling, adding, “It’s not dangerous, but it does feel a bit unfair.” Vaughan reiterated this sentiment, describing the pitch during his commentary.
Former England captain Michael Atherton observed that while the pitch was tough, it wasn’t excessively so, hinting that the batters’ lack of confidence contributed to their struggles.
England’s Josh Tongue excelled amid favorable conditions, achieving a five-wicket haul, including the vital wicket of Steve Smith. He remarked, “The amount of grass on it helped with lateral movement, especially with my bowling style.”
