MCG pitch for fourth Ashes Test rated 'unsatisfactory' by ICC

The pitch for the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground was rated 'unsatisfactory' by the ICC. The venue received one demerit point, which will remain active for a rolling period of five years.

The Test, which got over in two days, saw 36 wickets fall within 142 overs with no batter crossing the 50-run mark.

Match Referee Jeff Crowe, who is part of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, gave the verdict and said that the pitch was heavily in favour of the bowlers.

"The MCG pitch was too much in favour of the bowlers", said Crowe. "With 20 wickets falling on the first day, 16 on the second day and no batter even reaching a half-century, the pitch was 'Unsatisfactory' as per the guidelines and the venue gets one demerit point."

It was the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series which finished within two days, the first being the opening Test which was held in Perth.

Despite England clinching victory in the Boxing Day Test, Australia had wrapped up the Ashes in the first three Tests, with the scoreline currently reading 3-1. The final Test will be played in Sydney from January 4th.