Poor pitch rating for MCG following Boxing Day Test

The ICC has given the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch a poor rating for last week’s drawn Ashes Test, giving Cricket Australia two weeks to respond to the criticism before determining a sanction.

Players and commentators criticised the lifeless dropin pitch used for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England in Melbourne, and ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle followed up in his official report to the sport’s governing body when he gave it a poor rating.

It was the first Australian Test venue to be rated with such a low rating.

Under existing rules, the ICC sanction can range from an official warning to a fine. But under regulations set to come into effect tomorrow, pitches officially rated as poor or unfit will be given demerit points which could ultimately lead to suspensions.

The ICC also rated the Indian venue Pune as poor last year after Australia’s victory there over India.

The MCG is one of the sport’s most iconic venues, becoming a Test fixture for the annual Boxing Day Test in Australia and having hosted the most recent World Cup final.