England captain Ben Stokes slammed Melbourne’s wicket for the fourth Ashes Test 2025-26 despite his team’s thrilling victory. On a surface largely favorable to seamers from the start, both teams struggled to deal with excessive movement and uneven bounce.
The hosts were bowled out for just 152 in the 46th over in their first innings, followed by England succumbing for an even worse 110 in 29.5 overs in reply. Australia’s second innings was underway before play on the first day ended following a 20-wicket day.
The second day was no different with the Australians being bowled out for 132 in the 35th over and England completing a tough chase of 175 with the loss of six wickets.
Speaking from the field during the post-match press conference, Stokes said (via ESPN Cricinfo):
“To be honest, that’s not really what you want. Boxing Day Test match. You don’t want a match to end in less than two days. It’s not ideal. But you can’t change it once you start the game, and you just have to play what’s in front of you. But I’m pretty sure if it was anywhere else in the world it would be hell. It’s not the best thing for matches that should be played over five days.”
Stokes was asked if he was talking about subcontinent locations when he mentioned “elsewhere in the world“, to which he replied:
“Those are your words, not mine.”
It was the second end of two days of the ongoing Ashes after the opening Test in Perth saw similar scores, with Australia coming out on top.
“It’s tough as a gardener” – Steve Smith
Australian skipper Steve Smith was less critical of the MCG wicket, although he admitted the surface offered too much for the pacers. It was the seventh Ashes Test to end in two days and the fourth shortest Ashes Test with just 852 balls bowled.
“Obviously it was a tricky question. Thirty-six wickets over two days was probably a bit too much. It’s difficult as a groundsman. I think he’s always looking for the right balance, I suppose. But yeah, maybe if you took him from 10 [millimetres] at eight it would have been a nice, tough wicket, maybe even a bit more, I suppose. But gardeners are always learning, and yeah, he’ll probably get something out of it, no doubt,” Smith said (via the aforementioned source).
Despite the defeat in Melbourne, the hosts hold an unassailable 3-1 lead, having retained the Ashes with victories in each of the first three Tests.
Edited by Venkatesh Ravichandran
