MCG Pitch Curator Confesses Getting Shocked After Boxing Day Test Ends Inside Two Days

MCG curator Matt Page said he was stunned by the early finish of the Boxing Day Ashes Test and accepted responsibility for a pitch that offered excessive seam movement.

Melbourne Cricket Ground curator Matt Page admitted he was left surprised by how the Boxing Day Ashes Test unfolded, with the marquee clash between Australia and England finishing inside two days.

The highly anticipated fourth Test saw a seam-friendly pitch dominate proceedings, producing 20 wickets on the opening day and leaving little margin for batters to settle. The match concluded after just 142 overs, far earlier than expected for one of the biggest fixtures on the cricket calendar.

England secured their first Test victory in Australia since 2011, but the early finish drew criticism, particularly with a sold-out third day rendered redundant and organisers facing a significant financial loss. Both captains expressed concerns over the surface offering excessive assistance to fast bowlers, placing Page’s pitch preparation under intense scrutiny.

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“I was in a state of shock after the first day, to see everything that happened, 20 wickets in a day,” Page said. “I’ve never been involved in a Test match like it, and hopefully will never be involved in a Test match like it again.”

Page revealed that around 10mm of grass was left on the pitch, compared to 7mm used during last year’s Test against India, a decision that ultimately backfired. He acknowledged the disappointment of the match ending early but maintained that his intent was to ensure a fair contest.

“Every year is different and the margins are very small, but in the back of your mind, you’re always trying to provide that contest,” he said. “We’re about trying to provide captivating Test cricket, that balance between bat and ball going four or five days.”

MCG Pitch Curator Admits Mistakes And Lessons Learnt

Taking responsibility, Page said lessons would be learned ahead of future Tests. “We’ve produced a Test that’s been captivating, but it hasn’t gone long enough and we’ll take ownership of that,” he said. “We’ll learn from it, we’ll grow, and we’ll make sure that we’ll get it right next year.”

He also explained the unique challenges of preparing pitches at the MCG, warning that removing too much grass could lead to lifeless surfaces similar to the 2017 Ashes Test.

“If we don’t have seam movement here at the MCG, we become very dull, very lifeless and very flat, which is no good for the players, no good for the spectators, and no good for the game,” he said.

With the ICC match referee yet to give a final assessment of the pitch, Page now awaits the verdict on a Test that sparked widespread debate.