The Boxing Day Ashes Test once again highlighted the ever-lasting appeal of Test cricket, as a crowd of 93,442 spectators filled the Melbourne Cricket

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) witnessed a staggering 93,442 fans as they came to enjoy Australia v England 4th Ashes test.

On a chaotic and bowler-dominated opening day of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), 20 wickets fell - a rare occurrence in modern cricket with covered pitches.

The surface at Melbourne's MCG has come in for heavy criticism after 20 wickets fell on day one of the Ashes Test

As 20 wickets fell on the first day of the fourth Ashes test on Friday, the carnage prompted sharp criticism from former England cricketers who questioned whether the pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground offered a fair contest.

The iconic venue will also host the historic one-off day-night Test match between arch-rivals Australia and England.

The late Shane Warne was honoured by the MCG crowd on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test, with fans tipping their hats at 3.50pm local time in tribute to his Australian Test cap number, 350.

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has called for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) wicket to come under scrutiny after 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of the fourth Ashes 2025-26 Test.

Victoria Police has announced a "new layer of protection" for the community for the Boxing Day Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.