New Delhi: Former cricketers have criticised the pitch used for the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on December 26. 20 wickets fall on the opening day of the third Ashes Test, with Australia finishing the day 4/0 and a lead of 47 runs.

Batting first, the hosts bowled out for just 152 runs on a grassy surface, which provided massive assistance for the fast bowlers. Josh Tongue took a five-wicket haul, and Gus Atkinson also picked up two wickets. The visitors also struggled to bat, bundling out for 110 runs. Michael Neser picked up four wickets, and Boland took three wickets as no batters from both sides managed to register a fifty.

‘Unfair for the batters’: Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Michael Vaughan said that the pitch was unfair for the batters, and it has plenty of movement. He further added that it is not easy for both teams to bat.

“We’re always looking for a fair balance between bat and ball. I thought that was unfair for the batters. The pitch has done plenty. There’s been plenty of movement out there. It’s not been easy for both sides, but I don’t like seeing a pitch do so much,” Vaughan told the BBC.

‘That pitch has too much life in it for Test cricket’: Glenn McGrath

Former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath said that the MCG pitch has too much life for a Test match, and it has 10mm of grass. He further added that 7mm grass on the surface would have been better, but the curator was more concerned about the last three days of the match.

“The weather is getting warmer, which will have an impact on the top of the rollers. So, it could get to the stage where England are batting in the fourth innings in the best batting conditions of the match,” McGrath added.

‘It was an unfair contest’: Alastair Cook

Former England batter Alastair Cook also criticised the pitch and said that it was an unfair contest, and if it flattens out, then it’s fine, but he doesn’t think this is particularly even. Brett Lee said that as a fast bowler, he won’t be complaining at the end of the day, but it’s a different surface.

“I rubbed my hand on the side of the wicket this morning, and you can feel the grass lift up. Cummo [Australia captain Pat Cummins] was almost going to go back to the hotel to pick up his spikes,” Lee said on Fox Cricket.

Kevin Pietersen wrote on X that India always get hammered when wickets fall like this on the opening day. The former batter further added that he hope that Australia gets the same scrutiny in this match.

“India always gets hammered when wickets fall like crazy on Day 1 of a Test, and so I hope that Australia gets the same scrutiny. Fair is fair!” Pietersen wrote on X.

Australia are leading the five-match Ashes Test series by 3-0, and are looking to whitewash England at home.