The pitch for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne has "done too much" and has resulted in an "unfair" contest between bat and ball, says former England captain Michael Vaughan. Twenty wickets fell at the MCG on a chaotic opening day of the Boxing Day Test as Australia were bowled out for 152 before England were skittled for 110. In the last decade of Test cricket in Australia, only four Tests have seen a larger amount of high-seaming deliveries on the first day. I thought that was unfair for the batters," Vaughan told Test Match Special. Australia have a 46-run lead but Vaughan said this is England's "best chance" of winning a Test during what has been a difficult series.

Source: BBC December 26, 2025 13:26 UTC