Mcg News - Latest Updates & Headlines
MCG pitch "changed" as they never liked watching me bat for two straight days: Cook's fun banter on 4th Ashes test
Melbourne, December 30: As the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England ended in just two days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, former England skipper Alastair Cook shared a banter on the MCG pitch.
Ashes: Bethell credits IPL 2025 experience for handling pressure of playing at MCG
Melbourne, Dec 29: England's batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell said his stint in the Indian Premier League this year helped him cope with the pressure of making his Ashes debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where England won by four wickets in a two-day game.
MCG pitch for Boxing Day Ashes Test rated "unsatisfactory"MCG pitch for Boxing Day Ashes Test rated "Unsatisfactory"
Melbourne, December 29: The Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch has been rated "unsatisfactory" by the ICC after the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England ended in just two days, as per the ICC's website.
ICC rates MCG pitch 'unsatisfactory' after Boxing day Test ends in two days
Dubai, Dec 29: The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the fourth Ashes Test is held, has been rated as 'unsatisfactory' and the venue received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process.
"I wouldn't want to bat on it every week": Joe Root on spicy MCG track after two-day Ashes Test
New Delhi, December 29: England's hard-fought consolation win against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground came on a surface that offered plenty for the bowlers and ensured the Test was wrapped up inside two days. Reflecting on the challenging conditions, Joe Root admitted the pitch was difficult to bat on, as per ESPNcricinfo.
Had it been 2mm shorter, it might have been alright: Smith gives his take on under-fire MCG pitch
Melbourne, Dec 28: Australia stand-in skipper Steve Smith gave his take on the MCG wicket after the Boxing Day Test lasted just two days, with England winning by four wickets. He said that had the 10mm grass been 2mm shorter, it might have made a difference in the match.
MCG chief curator 'in state of shock' after two-day Boxing Day Test pitch debacle
Melbourne, Dec 28: Melbourne Cricket Ground chief curator Matt Page has expressed disappointment after the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG ended in two days, with the latter saying he was in a "state of shock" watching the Boxing Day Test end.
MCG chief curator "in state of shock" as he breaks silence at two-day Test
Melbourne, December 28: The Melbourne Cricket Ground chief curator Matt Page broke his silence on the much-criticised, talked-about strip used for the fourth Boxing Day Ashes Test, admitting he was in a "state of shock" after witnessing 20 wickets tumble on day one and hoped he is "never involved like this" again.
England's MCG Boxing Day win: 'Gen next' of Bethel, Brooke, Tongue set tone for team's future
Melbourne, December 28: Finally, a victory in front of their team's name for England's beleagured cricket team. The total dominance by Australia in their own backyard finally came to an end after 14 years and over 5,400 days as England finally won an Ashes Test in Australia, that too a Boxing Day one in front of a jam-packed Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"No Test cricket fans should be celebrating...": Michael Vaughan after fourth Ashes Test ended in two days
Melbourne, December 27: Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has said that no Test cricket fans should be celebrating after they saw the fourth Ashes Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground between Australia and England end in just two days.
Ashes: A look at records during fourth Test at MCG
Melbourne, December 27: The Ben Stokes-led England registered a memorable four-wicket win against Australia in the fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. The visitors registered their first victory on the tour as the five-match series now stands at 3-1, with Australia already having pocketed the Ashes.
Not good for finances: Steve Smith after Boxing Day Test ended in just 2 days
Melbourne, December 27: Steve Smith, Australia's stand-in captain in Pat Cummins' absence during the ongoing Ashes series, reflected on the Boxing Day Ashes Test that got over in just two days and admitted it's not suitable for the "finances".
Ashes 2025-26: No Test cricket fans should be celebrating what we have seen for 2 days, says Vaughan
Melbourne, Dec 27: England's dramatic two-day victory over Australia in the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series has ignited fierce debate about the green pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with former skipper Michael Vaughan saying that while the result merits celebration, the quality of cricket on display will not be celebrated much by fans.
"England played really well": Steve Smith credits Ben Stokes' side after MCG defeat
Melbourne, December 27: Australia captain Steve Smith admitted that England outplayed them in the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the Ben Stokes-led Three Lions defeated the Aussies for the first time since January 2011.
"Offered little too much": Steve Smith on MCG pitch after defeat in Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith reflected on the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch that saw the Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England get over in just two days, with 36 wickets falling. He called the pitch a "tricky one" and said that it offered a bit too much to the bowlers.
Ashes 2025-26: Pitch at Melbourne Cricket Ground was farcical at times, says Nasser Hussain
Melbourne, Dec 27: Former England captain Nasser Hussain described the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch for the fourth Test of the Ashes series as 'farcical at times', as he and Michael Atherton joined a chorus of fierce criticism after the match ended inside two days.
"He's done a pretty good job every time he's had the opportunity to play for England": Smith praises Tongue's bowling threat
Melbourne, December 27: England's Josh Tongue, after his five-wicket haul on Boxing Day and a seven-wicket match return, became the first England bowler to be named Player of the Match in an Ashes Test in Australia since Dean Headley in 1998, as per ESPNcricinfo.
"Somewhere else in the world, there'd be hell on": Ben Stokes' brutal take on MCG pitch
Melbourne, December 27: England captain Ben Stokes has taken a brutal take on the MCG pitch, saying that if a pitch like MCG were served somewhere else in the world, there would have been "hell on" criticism. Stokes added that his feedback to the match referee regarding the MCG pitch won't be the best.
Ashes: England captain reflects on team's landmark Boxing Day Test win
Melbourne, December 27: England skipper Ben Stokes breaks down England's MCG win as pretty special as the tourists finally ended a 15-year wait for a Test win on Australian soil, according to the official website of the International Cricket Council.
Root hails Bethell's "conviction" during match-sealing knock at MCG, expresses happiness at breaking win drought in Australia
Melbourne, December 27: England veteran Joe Root, who finally managed to secure a Test win on Australian soil following the Boxing Day Test victory at Melbourne, lamented at not being able to finish the game for his team with a decent score and also hauled young all-rounder Jacob Bethell for the "conviction" he displayed during his knock.
"I was potentially retiring...": Josh Tongue opens up after England's historic win at Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: England finally found their way back into the Ashes series with a memorable four-wicket victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Although the Ashes had already been decided, the win helped England regain confidence, with Australia still leading the series 3-1.
"If we had managed that extra 50-60...": Aussie skipper Smith laments lack of runs following Boxing Day Test loss to England
Melbourne, December 27: Following his side's loss to England in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne, Australian skipper Steve Smith said that getting "extra 50 or 60 runs" could have helped his side, and the pitch did "a bit more than it intended".
Ashes: To get a fifer, get my name on honours board is a very special feeling, says Tongue
Melbourne, Dec 27: England pacer Josh Tongue said to get a match-winning five-wicket haul and have his name registered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is a very special feeling, as the side got a Test match win in Australia after 15 years.
"Learning from moments that went well": Bethell reflects on match-winning role in Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 27: England finally found something to cheer about in a tough Ashes campaign as they registered a four-wicket win over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While the Ashes had already slipped away, the victory helped England claw back some pride, with Australia still leading the series 3-1.
Ashes: 50 or 60 more runs across both innings could have changed the result, says Smith
Melbourne, Dec 27: Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith admitted that an extra 50 or 60 runs across both innings might have altered the outcome of the fourth Ashes Test, which England won by four wickets to seal their first victory in the country since 2011.
Ashes: It was really important to show character for the rest of the series, says Root after MCG win
Melbourne, Dec 27: Joe Root said England have shown their real character and bravery with the bat as they have achieved a much-needed breakthrough by winning their first Test match on Australian soil since 2011, having beaten Australia by four wickets in the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG.
Ashes: Vaughan calls MCG pitch a 'joke' after 26 wickets fall inside 98 overs during fourth Test
New Delhi, Dec 27: Former England captain Michael Vaughan took a dig at the Melbourne Cricket Ground surface after wickets fell like ninepins and bowlers dominated the opening stages of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.
Ashes: England bag first Test win on Australian soil since 2011
Melbourne, Dec 27: England ended an almost 15-year-long wait with a spirited victory on Australian soil in the fourth Ashes Test, defeating the hosts by four wickets in a frenetic Boxing Day contest here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Jinx broken too late: England snap 18-match winless streak in Australia, seal MCG Boxing Day Test in two days
Melbourne, December 27: On an absolute bowling heaven at Melbourne Cricket Ground, England, though having lost the Ashes to Australia, broke their 18-match winless streak Down Under with a four-wicket win over the hosts in the Boxing Day Test on the second day of the fourth Test on Saturday.
Ashes 4th Test: England in driver's seat in chase of 175 runs, on cusp of ending 18 Test winless streak in Australia (Day 2, Tea)
Melbourne, December 27: England stand on cusp of ending their 18-match winless Test match run in Australia as the opening pair of Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put them in the driver's seat with a fifty partnership chasing 175 runs to secure the prestigious Boxing Day Test fixture at Melbourne Cricket Ground, ending the second session on day two on a high.
'Short Tests are bad for business': CA CEO Greenberg after 20-wicket opening day at MCG
Melbourne, Dec 27: Cricket Australia chief executive officer Todd Greenberg voiced his concerns over extending the duration of a Test match from five days to two, which can lead to continued excitement due to the number of wickets taken; however, Greenberg said that wicket-laden days can lead to the long-term demise of Tests as a format.
CA achieve record attendance on a single day across MCG, SCG and Perth
Melbourne, Dec 27: A record total of 162,408 fans attended Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Big Bash League 15 matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium.
Ashes 2025-26: We had to just be patient and let the wicket do the work, says Neser after all-round performance
Melbourne, Dec 26: Michael Neser described patience and discipline as the key to success after his standout all-round display on Boxing Day at the MCG helped Australia seize control of the fourth Test of the five-match Ashes series against England in Melbourne on Friday.
Josh Tongue backs England's batting approach after 110-run collapse on Boxing Day
Melbourne, December 26: England pacer Josh Tongue enjoyed his outing on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, as he became the first England bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a Boxing Day Test. However, England's batting remained their weak point in the series as they got all out for just 110 runs in reply to Australia's 152 on a happening Melbourne pitch. Tongue defended England's batting, saying it's how the Three Lions play.
"Cricket is funny game": Michael Neser reflects on Boxing Day heroics after uncertain Test journey
Melbourne, December 26: Australia pacer Michael Neser helped the Aussies place themselves as firm favourites on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground itself. He expressed delight at playing a crucial role for the team in front of the massive MCG crowd.
Ashes: Broad slams MCG pitch after 20 wickets fall on Day 1 of MCG Test
Melbourne, Dec 26: Former England pacer Stuart Broad was not impressed with the condition of the MCG pitch on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, as the former England pacer said that "the amount of movement that this pitch has shown" has indicated that there is "something really wrong".
Ashes: Australia take 46-run lead as 20 wickets fall on Day 1 of MCG Test
Melbourne, Dec 26: Australia held a 46-run lead on day one of the Boxing Day Test after the hosts were bowled out for 152 and England replied with an even limper 110 as a record 20 wickets fell on the first day of the fourth Ashes Test here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.
"There's a ball coming with your name on it": Ex-Aussie, England legends on MCG pitch after 74-year first happens on day one of Boxing Day Test
Melbourne, December 26: Former cricketers from both Australia and England raised questions over the quality of the pitch on day one of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England at Melbourne Cricket Ground as for the first time in around 74 years, a total of 20 wickets fell on opening day of a Test match in Australia.
Ashes: MCG breaks 2015 WC final record with 94199 attendance on Boxing day Test
Melbourne, Dec 26: The Melbourne Cricket Ground have recorded a massive attendance of 94,199 fans on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, marking the highest crowd ever recorded for a cricket match at the venue.
Cricket Australia CEO says hosting of day-night Boxing Day Test at MCG is 'not off the cards'
Melbourne, Dec 26: Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg has not ruled out the possibility of a day-night Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.