ADD ANI AS A TRUSTED SOURCE
googleads
Menu
Cricket

MCG pitch "changed" as they never liked watching me bat for two straight days: Cook's fun banter on 4th Ashes test

This comes after MCG's pitch was rated "unsatisfactory" by the ICC after the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England, which ended in just two days.

ANI Dec 30, 2025 18:41 IST googleads

Alastair Cook. (Photo/Reuters)

Melbourne [Australia], December 30 (ANI): As the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England ended in just two days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), former England skipper Alastair Cook shared a banter on the MCG pitch.
This comes after MCG's pitch was rated "unsatisfactory" by the ICC after the fourth Ashes Test, which ended in just two days.
Cook, who has slammed 2493 Test runs in Australia, said that Australian fans have never been fond of him staying on the pitch for two days, hence the MCG pitch has been changed.
"I do have to apologise, people who sat through that never wanted to sit and watch me bat for 2 days, so they totally changed the way the pitch played," Alastair Cook said on the Stick to Cricket Podcast.
This decision was made because the pitch was deemed too favourable to bowlers, with 36 wickets falling in 142 overs and no batter scoring a half-century in the fourth Ashes Test last week.
As a result, the MCG has received one demerit point under the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, which will remain active for the next five years.
Match referee Jeff Crowe explained that the pitch's condition gave bowlers an unfair advantage, contributing to the match's rapid conclusion.
Although England claimed their first Test win in Australia since 2011, Australia had already secured the Ashes by winning the opening three matches to gain an unassailable 3-0 lead.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan found the fourth Test thrilling, with every ball keeping him on the edge of his seat, but lamented that it wasn't proper Test cricket.
"I was entertained, and it was intriguing because you're on the edge of your seat every single ball because you felt there was going to be a wicket, but that wasn't Test cricket for me," Vaughan said. (ANI)

Get the App

What to Read Next

Football

IFL 2025-26: Rajasthan United face Namdhari SA

IFL 2025-26: Rajasthan United face Namdhari SA

Rajasthan United FC step onto the pitch at the Vidhyadhar Nagar Stadium, eager to bounce back in front of their home supporters. The Jaipur-based outfit are looking to recover from a 1-3 away defeat to Aizawl FC in the last round.

Read More
Others

Diksha leads five Indians at Australian Women’s Open

Diksha leads five Indians at Australian Women’s Open

Diksha Dagar will once again spearhead the Indian challenge as the LET stays in Australia with the Women's Australian Open

Read More
Cricket

Nahid credits Shaun Tait for fifer vs Pakistan in 1st ODI

Nahid credits Shaun Tait for fifer vs Pakistan in 1st ODI

Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana heaped praise on the team's fast bowling coach, Shaun Tait, describing him as an outstanding mentor who supports players both professionally and personally.

Read More
Cricket

“It feels great…”: Suryakumar Yadav on winning back-to-back WC

“It feels great…”: Suryakumar Yadav on winning back-to-back WC

India topped Group A with an unbeaten record, though they suffered a setback in the Super Eight stage, losing to South Africa by 76 runs. The Men in Blue bounced back in style, defeating West Indies in a virtual quarter-final, England in the semi-final, and ultimately New Zealand in the final.

Read More
Cricket

IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans name Vijay Dahiya as Assistant Coach

IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans name Vijay Dahiya as Assistant Coach

His appointment follows the recent addition of former Australia batting legend Matthew Hayden as Batting Coach, further bolstering the Titans' coaching group ahead of the upcoming IPL season.

Read More
Home About Us Our Products Advertise Contact Us Terms & Condition Privacy Policy

Copyright © aninews.in | All Rights Reserved.