Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) England’s dramatic two-day victory over Australia in the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series has ignited fierce debate about the green pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with former skipper Michael Vaughan saying that while the result merits celebration, the quality of cricket on display will not be celebrated much by fans.“A win is a win, and England should celebrate, but NO Test cricket fans should be celebrating what we have seen for 2 days .. #Ashes,” wro…
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Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) Former England captain Nasser Hussain described the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch for the fourth Test of the Ashes series as ‘farcical at times’, as he and Michael Atherton joined a chorus of fierce criticism after the match ended inside two days.The 10mm of grass left on the pitch resulted in 36 wickets falling in six sessions at the MCG, as England ended a 14-year wait for a Test match victory in Australia with a four-wicket win. England dismissed Australia …
Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) England registered a Boxing Day comeback win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, clinching a famous four-wicket victory over Australia to register their first Test win on Australian soil in 19 matches and breathe new life into the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–2027 race.The result of the Test match, although Australia had already secured a 3-0 Ashes series victory before the game started, was a boost for Ben Stokes and his team. More importantly, it e…
Melbourne, Dec 27 (IANS) Cricket Australia chief executive officer Todd Greenberg voiced his concerns over extending the duration of a Test match from five days to two, which can lead to continued excitement due to the number of wickets taken; however, Greenberg said that wicket-laden days can lead to the long-term demise of Tests as a format. In light of the two-day test match that kicked off the Ashes series in Perth, there is now also a realistic possibility that we may see a third quick Test…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Michael Neser described patience and discipline as the key to success after his standout all-round display on Boxing Day at the MCG helped Australia seize control of the fourth Test of the five-match Ashes series against England in Melbourne on Friday.On the opening day of the Test match, Australia established their dominance as both teams struggled against the moving ball. Australia were bowled out for 152 runs off 46 overs, following England’s decision to bowl first, w…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) have recorded a massive attendance of 94,199 fans on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, marking the highest crowd ever recorded for a cricket match at the venue. The historic crowd surpassed the previous record of 93,013, set during the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup Final between Australia and New Zealand.It also established a new record for the highest attended single day of Test cricket, eclipsing the 91,112 spectators who attende…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Josh Tongue scripted history after he became the first England bowler this century to claim a five-wicket haul in Men’s Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Friday. Tongue picked up 5-45 during Australia’s first innings of 152 all out. Reeling 3-0 in the series, Tongue’s efforts helped England bowled out Australia for 152 in their first innings of the Boxing Day Test.It was the first time an England bowler had claimed a five-wicket haul in a Test at the MCG sinc…
Melbourne, Dec 26 (IANS) Australia captain Pat Cummins has set his sights on the T20 World Cup 2026 after a successful hit-and-run mission in the Ashes series, saying he is cooling his heels for a bit with the mega spectacle in India and Sri Lanka beginning in early February.Cummins, who missed the first two Ashes Tests as he was recovering from his back issue, returned for the third Test in Adelaide to pick up six wickets in the series-clinching win.With the Ashes urn successfully retained, Aus…
Melbourne, Dec 25 (IANS) Steve Smith showed sympathy toward Ben Stokes-led England as the team endured criticism following their early Ashes series defeat to Australia. England suffered losses in the first three Tests, and the hosts took an unassailable 3-0 lead upon winning the recent Adelaide Test. Smith will rejoin the Australian team for the Boxing Day Test and continue as stand-in captain in place of Pat Cummins after recovering from an inner-ear issue. With Australia already having secured…
New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) Former captain Ricky Ponting has offered his assessment of Cameron Green’s young international career, calling the all-rounder one of Australia’s most intriguing long-term prospects, even as his Test returns continue to invite scrutiny.Green has had a below-par Ashes series, with Australia already having secured the series after the first three Tests. In three matches, he scored 76 runs and took only two wickets, though he had limited game time with the ball.Ponting ac…