Melbourne Ashes Pitch Rated Unsatisfactory by ICC

The ICC on Monday, December 29, 2025, said the pitch used for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne was unsatisfactory. The stadium was given one demerit point because match referee Jeff Crowe said the pitch helped the bowlers too much.

The Test match ended very quickly. Twenty wickets fell on the first day, and England won by four wickets in just two days, defeating Australia in a short game.

The ICC report raised concerns about the balance between batting and bowling on the pitch. According to ICC rules, grounds that get unsatisfactory ratings or demerit points may be closely watched in the future to make sure conditions are fair for both teams.

The Melbourne pitch has now officially been marked as unfair, especially because the wickets fell so fast and the match ended so quickly.