The Match: A Bowler’s Paradise
The MCG pitch proved to be a “devilish” surface for batters, with 36 wickets falling across just five sessions of play.
- Day 1 Carnage: Australia was bundled out for 152 before England collapsed to 110, leaving the match wide open.
- Day 2 Wrap-up: England’s bowlers, led by Player of the Match Josh Tongue (7 wickets in total) and Brydon Carse, dismissed Australia for 132 in their second innings.
- The Chase: Despite a late flutter of wickets, including captain Ben Stokes and Joe Root, rising star Jacob Bethell (40) and Harry Brook guided England to the 175-run target.
“Bad for Business”: The Commercial Fallout
For Cricket Australia (CA), the excitement of a result was marred by the financial reality of losing three days of gate revenue and hospitality at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
- Record Attendance: Over 94,000 fans packed the MCG on Day 1—a record for a cricket match at the venue—but the stadium sat empty for the scheduled remainder of the Test.
- CEO’s Reaction: CA Chief Executive Todd Greenberg admitted he had a “sleepless night” following the Day 1 carnage.
“A simple phrase I’d use is short Tests are bad for business. I can’t be more blunt than that,” Greenberg told SEN Radio. “We want Test cricket clearly to go for longer.”
The Ashes Series Standings
While England celebrates this “character-building” win, Australia has already secured the urn, leading the five-match series 3-1 heading into the final Test in Sydney.