MCG Curator Admits Mistake After Test Ends in Two Days, Expresses Shock

• MCG chief curator Matthew Page was "in shock" after 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test, which concluded in just two days.
• Page admitted his decision to leave 10mm of grass on the pitch was excessive, leading to 36 wickets falling in only 142 overs.
• The curator, appointed to improve MCG pitches after the 2017 Ashes draw, expressed disappointment and vowed to learn from the incident.
• England defeated Australia, marking their first Test win on Australian soil since 2011, despite captain Ben Stokes criticizing the bowler-friendly pitch.
• The early match conclusion could cost Cricket Australia over AUD 10 million due to sold-out Day 3 tickets, though Travis Head showed sympathy for Page.

Why It Matters: MCG curator Matthew Page admitted error after a Test match ended in two days, causing financial loss and criticism.