Melbourne, December 27, 2025: Cricket Australia (CA) is expected to suffer a major financial setback following the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which concluded in just two days, international media reported on Saturday.
The short finish is likely to cost CA around $10 million, as a sell-out crowd of more than 90,000 was anticipated for the third day of the Test, which saw England secure a historic six-wicket win, ending their 15-year drought in Australia. The early conclusion also meant lost revenue from merchandise, food, and beverages.
This marks the second financial blow for CA during the home Ashes series, after the opener in Perth similarly wrapped up in two days, resulting in an estimated $3 million loss.
CA Chief Executive Todd Greenberg candidly addressed the issue, calling short Tests “bad for business” and suggesting that pitch preparation may require closer oversight. “A simple phrase I’d use is – short Tests are bad for business. I can’t be much more blunt than that,” Greenberg told SEN Radio. “Historically, we have taken a hands-off approach in all of our wicket preparation… but it’s hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, particularly commercially.”
Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith also reflected on the financial and sporting implications of the two-day finish. “The finances aren’t great and I think it was a sell-out tomorrow,” he said. “We saw 36 wickets in two days and that indicates it was a pretty tricky wicket. It probably offered a little bit too much. A lot of the Tests have been played in fast forward and this one was over in two days, not ideal. It would be good if it was a little bit longer and we were able to entertain the fans some more, but it wasn’t to be.”
The early conclusion of the Melbourne Test has reignited discussions about pitch curation and the balance between competitive cricket and commercial sustainability in international Tests.
