Lead
Melbourne Cricket Ground head curator Matthew Page said he was “in a state of shock” after the Boxing Day Test finished in two days, with England claiming a four-wicket victory in the evening session of day two. Thirty-six wickets fell across six sessions after Page and his team left 10mm of grass on the pitch for the fourth Ashes Test. The result followed another two-day finish in Perth and gave England their first Test win in Australia since 2011. Cricket Australia estimates the premature ending will cost about A$10m (approximately £4.97m) in lost revenue.
Key takeaways
- Ten millimetres of grass was left on the MCG surface for the Boxing Day Test; that decision preceded a match that finished in two days.
- Thirty-six wickets fell in six sessions; 20 wickets fell on day one — the most first-day wickets in an Ashes Test since 1909.
- England won by four wickets in the evening session of day two, marking their first Test victory in Australia since 2011.
- Cricket Australia (CA) estimates a revenue shortfall of about A$10m; CA is not insured for this loss and forecasts revenue of roughly A$600m for the financial year.
- Almost 190,000 spectators attended across the opening two days and day three was a sell-out, raising questions about crowd expectations and compensation options.
- Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stuart Fox said alternative uses of the players on day three, such as an exhibition hit, were discussed but not advanced.
- Page acknowledged the result deviated from plans and pledged a review to improve future preparations.
Background
The Boxing Day Test at the MCG is a highlight of the Australian summer and a major revenue and cultural event for Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club. Pitch preparation decisions at the MCG carry heavy scrutiny because the surface can shape match outcomes, influence spectator experience and affect broadcast schedules. The 2017 Melbourne Test drew criticism for being too placid — only 24 wickets fell in a drawn match that featured Alastair Cook’s unbeaten 244 — prompting a review of pitch practices at the venue.
This year’s contest arrived after a series that already included an unusually quick finish in Perth, increasing attention on curators’ choices. Expectations for a competitive, multi-day Test were also intensified by large crowds: nearly 190,000 people were present across the first two days, and day three sold out with potential to challenge attendance records. Against that backdrop, preparatory choices such as grass length and scheduling assumptions have both sporting and commercial implications.
Main event
Ahead of the match, Page opted for a 10mm grass cover on the wicket because forecasts suggested hot weather for the later days — temperatures of about 32°C were predicted for the planned fourth day. Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith described the surface as “furry and green,” warning batters they would need to be alert. The pitch quickly produced aggressive assistance for bowlers: 20 wickets fell on day one and the match concluded in the evening of day two.
Page addressed media on-site after the game, an unusual step for a curator in Australia, saying he had “never been involved in a Test match like it” and that the team would investigate what went wrong. Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive Stuart Fox defended Page’s skill and said the club had reviewed pitches since 2017; Fox added the organisation did not anticipate a two-day finish and expressed disappointment for fans and stakeholders.
Cricket Australia provided an early financial estimate that the short match would cost about A$10m in lost revenue. CA sources noted the figure is material but not catastrophic relative to a projected A$600m revenue for the year. With tickets sold and broadcasters contracted, the early finish also prompted internal discussions — including informal talk of a day-three exhibition for ticket-holders — though those ideas were not taken forward with the visiting team.
Analysis & implications
Sporting: A pitch that offers disproportionate advantage to bowlers alters the contest balance, shortens match duration and can distort series dynamics. Two two-day Tests in a single Ashes series are exceptional in modern cricket and raise questions about consistency in venue preparation and the responsibilities of curators to produce a five-day contest where reasonably possible.
Commercial: The A$10m estimate highlights how quickly gate, hospitality and broadcast revenue can be affected by an early finish. Because CA was not insured for this kind of loss, the organisation must absorb the shortfall in the current financial year, though management has described the amount as manageable within the wider A$600m forecast.
Reputational and governance: Public comments from England captain Ben Stokes — who warned people would “raise hell” if a similar pitch appeared elsewhere — indicate the global sensitivity to pitch standards, particularly in marquee series. The MCC and CA will likely face pressure to document decisions more transparently and to align pitch outcomes with public and commercial expectations for multi-day Tests.
Operational: Curators balance weather forecasts, grass length and soil preparation to achieve target playing characteristics. The MCG team left a comparatively longer grass cover (10mm) than some recent matches, which in this case correlated with rapid deterioration and pronounced early assistance to bowlers. That outcome will prompt technical review of methods, monitoring and contingency planning for extreme early results.
Comparison & data
| Item | 2017 MCG Test | 2023 Boxing Day Test |
|---|---|---|
| Match result | Draw | England won by 4 wickets (two days) |
| Total wickets | 24 | 36 |
| Notable innings | Alastair Cook 244* (England) | — |
| Grass left on pitch | varied; some recent pitches longer than 10mm | 10mm |
The table shows a clear contrast in wicket count and match length between the two Tests. While grass length is one factor, weather, pitch compaction and maintenance schedules also contribute. The 2017 review led to adjustments in MCG practice, but preparation choices remain a judgment call with risk of unintended outcomes.
Reactions & quotes
“I’ve never been involved in a Test match like it and hopefully I’m not involved in a Test match like it again.”
Matthew Page, MCG head curator
Page spoke directly to media after the match and framed the outcome as outside his expectations, committing to a review of procedures.
“People would raise hell if this pitch had been produced somewhere else in the world.”
Ben Stokes, England captain
Stokes, while acknowledging his team’s win, voiced concern about how the surface might be perceived internationally if used in other venues.
“We didn’t plan for this and we didn’t want this to happen. It’s challenging times for us.”
Stuart Fox, Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive
Fox defended Page’s record and said the club is evaluating the impact on fans, broadcasters and future pitch preparations; he also confirmed perishable event food will be donated to local charity.
Unconfirmed
- Reports that players would take part in an organised exhibition on day three were discussed internally but were not formally proposed to the England team; details remain unconfirmed.
- The precise breakdown of the A$10m estimate (gate vs hospitality vs broadcast penalties) has not been published by Cricket Australia in full public detail.
- Any internal disciplinary or contractual implications for ground staff following the review have not been confirmed publicly.
Bottom line
The two-day finish at the MCG has immediate sporting and commercial repercussions: it provides England a historic away win while leaving Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club to manage financial, reputational and operational fallout. Key technical choices—most visibly the decision to leave 10mm of grass—will be dissected by cricket authorities and practitioners seeking to reduce the chance of similar outcomes.
For fans and broadcasters the short match was disappointing despite an enthralling contest, and for administrators it is a prompt to tighten governance around pitch preparation, contingency planning and communication. Page and the MCG have pledged a review; how quickly that review produces revised public guidance or changed practice will shape responses ahead of next summer’s fixtures.
Sources
- BBC Sport — media report summarising match events and statements.
- Cricket Australia (official) — national governing body for cricket in Australia; CA provided financial estimates referenced in reporting.
- Melbourne Cricket Club (official) — venue operator and organiser for the Boxing Day Test; provided comments from the CEO and venue context.