5 months ago
The MCG transportation wherever England hit Australia wrong 2 days successful nan 4th Ashes Test has been rated ‘unsatisfactory’ by nan International Cricket Council.
Head curator Matthew Page admitted he was successful a “state of shock” astatine really nan penultimate lucifer of nan bid unfolded connected a aboveground that had 10mm writer near on, producing lavish activity for seam bowlers.
Despite England’s four-wicket win, skipper Ben Stokes felt location would beryllium “hell on” if nan Melbourne transportation was produced elsewhere successful nan world, and nan ICC has handed down its second-lowest rating.
Match referee Jeff Crowe said: “The MCG transportation was excessively overmuch successful favour of nan bowlers. With 20 wickets falling connected nan first day, 16 connected nan 2nd time and nary batter moreover reaching a half-century, nan transportation was ‘unsatisfactory’ arsenic per nan guidelines and nan venue gets 1 demerit point.”
Pitches are rated either ‘very good’, ‘satisfactory’, ‘unsatisfactory’ aliases ‘unfit’. If a crushed receives six demerit points complete a rolling five-year period, it will beryllium deed pinch a 12-month prohibition from staging world matches.
While nan first Test astatine Perth past period besides produced a two-day finish, pinch Australia drafting first humor successful nan five-match series, nan transportation location received nan ICC’s highest standing of ‘very good’.
England’s consolation win, which leaves them trailing 3-1 pinch only nan last Test successful Sydney to go, is group to financially effect Cricket Australia, reportedly to nan tune of astir £5million.
A sell-out crowd of complete 90,000 was owed for time 3 and nan deficiency of play connected Sunday will mean an avalanche of refunds arsenic good arsenic mislaid income successful merchandise, nutrient and drinks.
