Melbourne Cricket Ground head curator Matthew Page says he was left in a "state of shock" after Australia's two-day defeat to England in the Boxing Day Test.

The hosts had been looking to secure a series whitewash after taking a 3-0 lead into the fourth Test, but England ended their nearly 15-year drought in Australia in the longest format with their four-wicket triumph.

Twenty wickets fell on the first day alone, with 36 tumbling overall in the six sessions played in Melbourne.

Cricket Australia will reportedly lose out on around $10m (£5m) in revenue due to the match finishing early, as a sell-out crowd had been expected on day three.

The bowler-friendly surface has led to criticism of Page, after Australia only faced 479 balls across the two days, their fewest in a match since the 1928 Ashes (457 deliveries in Brisbane).

Both Ben Stokes and Steve Smith highlighted the decision to leave 10mm of grass on the pitch as an error, and Page admitted he was surprised by the rapid nature of the Test.

"I've never been involved in a Test match like it, and hopefully I'm not involved in a Test match like it again," he said.

"We know this hasn't gone as we planned. We will look at what we need to do to improve.

A Test played in fast-forward goes the way of the visitors#Ashes pic.twitter.com/pkZfbU33vc

— Aussie Men's Cricket Team (@ausmencricket) December 27, 2025

"I was in a state of shock after the first day. We're obviously disappointed it's gone two days.

"We produced a Test that was captivating, but it hasn't gone long enough. We'll learn from that and make sure we get it right next year."

Travis Head's second-innings 46 was the highest score of the match, but he sympathised with Page.

Drawing comparison to last year's MCG Test against India, when the tourists lost seven wickets in the final session, Head said: "You look at the Test match last year, and India batted poorly on the last day.

"It probably looks like it's going to a draw, and then there's question marks around: are we going too far the other way?

"I feel for him [Page]. It's bloody tough. You leave 1-2mm on with high-quality bowling, and you find yourself short, and you take 2-3mm off with high-quality batting, and you leave yourself the other way."