England’s dramatic two-day victory over Australia in the fourth Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series has sparked intense debate regarding the green pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Former skipper Michael Vaughan remarked that while the result calls for celebration, the quality of cricket witnessed won’t be as appreciated by fans.
“A win is a win, and England should celebrate, but NO Test cricket fans should be celebrating what we have seen for 2 days .. #Ashes,” Vaughan posted on his ‘X’ account.
The pitch, which retained 10mm of grass, saw 36 wickets fall in just six sessions at the MCG. England claimed a four-wicket win, marking their first Test match victory in Australia in 14 years. Australia was bowled out for 132 in their second innings, setting England a target of 175, which they achieved after losing six wickets.
Stuart Broad, England’s fast bowling legend, commented that the victory in Melbourne came too late to influence the overall Ashes result. He noted that the four-wicket win would be felt more by travelling fans and the players than by England’s supporters back home.
“I think it (the reaction) will be slightly mixed. I look over to the English fans now, and they’ll have that emotion of being here and seeing England win away, singing the songs, having a few drinks with their friends. I think it will be positive in Australia and for the English fans who travelled here.
“But I’m sure there would be a sense back home that it’s too little, too late in a way, in the fact that the Ashes have gone in Adelaide last week. And if Australia weren’t 3-nil up, would Pat Cummins have played? Would Australia have played a stronger side?
“But ultimately, these players will be able to say that they have won a Test match in Australia, and they have had a brutal time of it. It’s such a strange Test series to have two Test matches that go for two days, it’s incredible,” he stated on SEN Radio.
Australia currently leads the 2025/26 Ashes series 3-1, with the competition shifting to Sydney for the traditional New Year’s Test, commencing at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4.