Ben Stokes Criticises MCG Pitch After Boxing Day Test Ends Inside Two Days

England captain Ben Stokes said finishing a five-day Test in less than two days was far from ideal after the Boxing Day Ashes clash at the MCG ended early despite England’s historic win.

England captain Ben Stokes shared his views on pitch conditions after the Boxing Day Test of the Ashes ended inside two days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. While accepting that players must adapt to whatever surface they are given in a five-day Test, Stokes admitted that such a short match was far from ideal, especially for a marquee fixture like the Boxing Day Test.

The fourth Test between Australia and England turned into a low-scoring affair, with a total of 36 wickets falling across two days. On Day 1 alone, 20 wickets were taken as Australia were bowled out for 152 before England collapsed for 110. Another 16 wickets fell on Day 2, with the match finishing inside 142 overs.

“When you go out there and you are faced with those conditions, you have got to crack on and deal with it. But being brutally honest, that isn’t really what you want. You know, Boxing Day Test, you don’t want a game finishing in less than two days,” Stokes said at the end of the game.

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“It isn’t ideal, but you cannot change it once you start the game and you have just got to play what is in front of you,” Stokes added.

Stokes on England’s Massive Win

England’s four-wicket victory in Melbourne marked their first Test win in Australia since January 2011 and came after intense scrutiny. The team entered the match on the back of three straight losses, along with criticism surrounding their preparation and a mid-series beach break.

“It has been a massive effort from everyone and to come out on the right side of the result feels really special. A fair bit was going on in the build-up to this match, a lot being thrown our way,” Stokes said.

“For the lads to come out, stay focused and perform the way they did says a lot about the character in this team. Huge credit to the players, support staff and management for keeping everyone locked in on what mattered, playing good cricket,” Stokes added.