The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the fourth Ashes Test has created an uneven contest between bat and ball, according to former England captain Michael Vaughan.
Twenty wickets fell on day one. Australia were bowled out for 152, while England managed just 110. This is the most wickets on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909, beating the 19 that fell on day one in Perth earlier this series.
Lots of Seam Movement
Analysts at CricViz reported that nearly half of the deliveries moved significantly off the seam. In the past ten years of Australian Test cricket, only four matches had more movement on day one.
Vaughan said fans at the MCG had plenty to enjoy, but he argued the pitch gave the batters too little chance. “We aim for a fair balance. This wasn’t fair for the batters,” he said.
He added that the pitch “did a lot” and caused constant movement, making it tough for both teams.
Pitch Rating Shows Difficulty
The PitchViz score for the day was 8.7 out of 10, showing just how hard it was to bat. It’s the second toughest opening day in Australia over the last 101 Tests with 40 or more overs.
Australia leads by 46 runs, but Vaughan believes England still has a real chance. “They are good at chasing totals. We’ve had three heavy rollers, and another is coming. Don’t count England out,” he said.
Grassy Surface Sparks Debate
MCG groundsman Matt Page left 10mm of grass on the pitch, slightly more than usual. He said it followed the same method that produced last year’s fifth-day finish against India.
Before the match, Australia captain Steve Smith noted the pitch was “furry and green” and expected seam movement.
BanerClub commentator Jonathan Agnew called the pitch lively but not extreme. Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath thought there was too much grass. “For Test cricket, this pitch has too much life. Seven millimeters might have been better,” he said.
McGrath added that the groundsman seemed more concerned about later days when conditions would be easier for batting.
Recent MCG Ashes History
Since the 2017 Boxing Day Test, which saw 24 wickets fall over five days, the MCG hasn’t produced a draw in seven Tests.
The 2021 Ashes Test at Melbourne ended inside three days, with England dismissed for 185 and 68, thanks to Scott Boland’s bowling heroics.
Experts Question Fairness
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook said the pitch favored bowlers too heavily. “You don’t need to bowl exceptionally to take wickets. A ball in the right spot nips both ways. It feels unfair,” he said.
Vaughan also pointed to modern batters’ struggles. “Low scores aren’t just about the pitch. Technique has become an issue,” he explained. “When a pitch does a little spin or seam,batters often can’t handle it.”
