
On the chaotic opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Former England captain Alastair Cook did not hold back in his criticism of the pitch. Cook described the MCG pitch as 'not a great Test wicket,' highlighting its extreme bias towards the bowlers and the challenges it posed for batsmen trying to play their shots. The day saw all 20 wickets fall, with even Australia's Scott Boland being described as 'unplayable' at times. While acknowledging the need for improvements in batting techniques, Cook emphasized the unfairness of the conditions that heavily favored the bowlers. The intense scrutiny and criticism of the MCG pitch by a former great like Cook raise important questions about the quality and fairness of pitches in Test cricket, sparking debates among fans and experts alike.