The hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was supposed to provide a grand stage for the Ashes 2025. Instead, it delivered a chaotic, high-speed demolition derby that left cricket purists and former greats like Alastair Cook fuming. In an astonishing turn of events, all 20 wickets fell on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, a spectacle that the former England captain deemed not just dramatic, but fundamentally unfair.
Table of Contents
- The MCG Pitch Carnage: A Day to Forget for Batters
- Alastair Cook’s Scathing Critique of the MCG Pitch
- When Bowlers Rule: Scott Boland and the Rest
- How This MCG Pitch Compares to History
- Conclusion: A Pitch for a Test Match or a T20 Spectacle?
- Sources
The MCG Pitch Carnage: A Day to Forget for Batters
Boxing Day at the MCG is a cherished tradition in the cricketing world, known for its festive atmosphere and typically batting-friendly conditions. The 2025 edition, however, was anything but. The surface, which offered excessive seam movement, unpredictable bounce, and variable pace from the very first ball, turned into a minefield. Both the Australian and English batting line-ups looked shell-shocked, playing and missing repeatedly, and falling to deliveries that would be considered unplayable on a balanced MCG pitch.
This was the most wickets to fall on the first day of an Ashes Test, a statistic that speaks volumes about the nature of the contest—or lack thereof . The game was effectively decided in the first two sessions, robbing fans of the strategic depth and long-form narrative that defines Test cricket.
Alastair Cook’s Scathing Critique of the MCG Pitch
Former England captain Alastair Cook, a man who has faced every kind of bowling attack on every kind of surface, did not mince his words. Speaking on TNT Sports after the day’s play, Cook delivered a damning verdict: “I actually think it was a bit of an unfair contest” . He went on to clarify that while he acknowledged his countrymen’s poor batting display, the conditions were so extreme that they negated any chance of a fair fight.
“It was not a great Test wicket,” Cook stated, highlighting that the surface was so heavily skewed in favour of the bowlers that strokeplay became a high-risk, low-reward exercise . His criticism was echoed by fellow ex-England stars Michael Vaughan and Stuart Broad, who all agreed that the balance between bat and ball—a cornerstone of a good Test match—was completely lost .
Cook, who himself has a massive double century (244*) to his name at the MCG, felt the pitch had swung too far in the opposite direction from its usual character . His comments have sparked a wider debate about the role of curators. Are they aiming to create a spectacle for the fans, or are they tasked with preparing a surface that allows the best players in the world to showcase their full range of skills over five days?
When Bowlers Rule: Scott Boland and the Rest
In such extreme conditions, even the most disciplined bowler can look lethal. For Australia, hometown hero Scott Boland was the prime beneficiary. His mastery of seam and swing, which has seen him take 62 wickets in just 14 Tests at a phenomenal average of 16.53, was on full display . On his home ground, where he famously took 6/7 on debut, Boland was described as “unplayable at times,” with his ability to move the ball both ways off the pitch proving too much for the English batters .
While Boland’s skill was undeniable, the question remains: how much of his success was due to his talent, and how much was a gift from the curator? The surface did the bulk of the work, making even good-length deliveries from any bowler a major threat. This takes nothing away from the Australian pace attack’s execution but raises questions about the contest’s legitimacy.
How This MCG Pitch Compares to History
The MCG has a proud history of producing flat, true tracks that encourage run-scoring and epic battles between bat and ball. The 2025 pitch was a stark, and unwelcome, anomaly. For context, a good MCG pitch should offer something for everyone:
- Days 1-2: Good pace and bounce for batsmen, with some assistance for fast bowlers.
- Days 3-4: The surface starts to wear, offering turn for spinners and variable bounce for the quicks.
- Day 5: A genuine contest where a result is possible but hard-earned.
The Boxing Day 2025 pitch skipped straight to a Day 5 scenario on Day 1. This isn’t the kind of challenge that tests a batter’s technique or temperament over a long period; it’s a lottery. As one analyst put it, the pitch was more suited to a T20 Blast game than a five-day Test match—a format built on patience and endurance .
Conclusion: A Pitch for a Test Match or a T20 Spectacle?
The chaotic opening day at the MCG has left a sour taste in the mouth of the cricketing community. While a wicket that offers assistance to bowlers is welcome, the complete absence of a fair contest is not. Alastair Cook’s criticism of the MCG pitch as an “unfair” surface is a sentiment shared by many who believe Test cricket’s soul lies in its balance and nuance. The curators may have created a day of high drama, but at the cost of the sport’s most cherished format. For a series as storied as the Ashes, fans deserve a battle of equals, not a one-sided ambush on day one. The MCG’s legacy deserves better.
Sources
[1] Times of India. “Ashes 2025: 20 wickets in one day…” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/ashes/ashes-2025-20-wickets-in-one-day-former-england-captain-rips-into-mcg-pitch-after-boxing-day-carnage/articleshow/126190874.cms
[2] TNT Sports Broadcast, December 26, 2025.
[3] Various reports from BBC Sport and Sky Sports.
[4] ESPNcricinfo. “Why Alastair Cook Is Partly To Blame For MCG Pitch…”
[8] FirstCricket. “‘Unfair’ MCG pitch has ‘done too much’ – Vaughan…”
[10] Cricket.com.au. “Heat comes for ‘unnecessary’ MCG pitch after 20 wickets fall…”
[16] Cricbuzz. “Scott Boland stats in The Ashes…” https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-series/7944/the-ashes-2025-26