Historic Double Collapse at the MCG: Katich Labels Cameron Green’s Dismissal “Predetermined Rubbish

Boxing day Test Day Two Sparks Debate as Australia Falters and Green Faces Pressure

Newly decisive moments on day two at the MCG have sharpened scrutiny of Australia’s batting, with critics arguing the team’s approach was as much an issue as the pitch. A controversial dismissal by Cameron green drew fire from former players who labeled it “predetermined rubbish.”

Australia were dismissed for 152 in the opening innings and 132 in the second, all by 2pm local time, leaving the team with a rapidly swelling tally of questions. Wickets tumbled at a brisk pace, and the tally of 20 dismissals came in just 79.5 overs, a pace not seen in an Australian Test in decades. Actually, only a 1928 Brisbane Test against England saw both innings completed in fewer overs.

After failing to convert an early advantage, Australia slipped to 3-34 and then staged a brief rally to 7-143 with Cameron Green and Steve Smith at the crease. Green’s departure for 17-combined with six innings without a score past 45 this series-precipitated a 3-9 collapse that opened the door for England to chase a first Test win in Australia as 2011.

The dismissal that drew particular scrutiny showed Green advancing to a wide, short delivery from Ben Stokes rather than trusting his technique and playing the ball on its merit.The burst of sharp, disciplined bowling by England appeared to expose an ongoing struggle for Green to settle into a fixed role in the batting order.

In a pointed critique,former star simon katich described the moment as “predetermined rubbish,” urging players to “watch the ball and play it instinctively off the track.” He noted the risk of making early decisions about length rather than reading the ball after it is released.

Beau Webster is among those urging confidence in a return to form, arguing Green’s series tally of 109 runs at 21.8 shows the potential still exists for a breakthrough. Fellow analysts, meanwhile, stress the need for a stable template that lets players adapt to different stages of a Test match without overthinking.

David warner, speaking on commentary, offered support for Green, acknowledging the challenge of a player moving between positions and the pressure of finding a long-term spot. warner suggested Green has the talent to bat higher in the order, potentially at four, if his form can be steadied over a longer run.

Key Facts at a Glance

Aspect	Details
Venue	Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
Event	Boxing day Test, Day Two
Australia first innings	152 all out
Australia second innings	132 all out
Wickets on Day Two	20 wickets in 79.5 overs
Historical note	Only 1928 Brisbane Test saw Australia bowled out twice faster
Green’s tally this series	17 runs in the day’s score; 109 runs total
Notable quotes	“predetermined rubbish” – former batsman; “Watching the ball and playing instinctively” – Katich
England outlook	Chasing first Test win in Australia since 2011

Evergreen insights: What this means for Australian cricket

Day Two underscored a broader, enduring truth in cricket: mental approach and match context often shape outcomes as much as technique. When a team endures a rapid sequence of dismissals, debates about batting order, risk tolerance, and adaptability become central to the team’s identity. The Boxing Day Test, with its long history and pressure-cooker surroundings, can intensify such debates and drive changes in selection, strategy, and leadership decisions.

Looking ahead, the challenge for Australia is to rebuild confidence under pressure, stabilize a batting order, and convert promising starts into decisive partnerships. For England, the task is to translate a strong day into a finishing push, with the psychological edge that comes from bowlers executing a disciplined plan when the ball moves and the nerves tighten.

Engagement Corner

What single change would you implement to help Cameron Green regain consistency? Do you think the Boxing Day pitch should be a factor in selection decisions for the remainder of the series?

Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion. Do you expect Australia to bounce back in the next innings, or will England seize the initiative and push for a decisive result?

Strong>How’s that? immediately after the catch‑and‑throw.

Match Overview – MCG, 2025‑12‑26

• Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) – iconic Test stadium, capacity ≈ 100,000.
• Teams: Australia vs. England (Ashes‑style series).
• Format: Four‑day Test, Day 3 played in the evening to avoid Melbourne’s summer heat.
• Result: Australia 312 & 187; England 215 & 285 – Australia win by 99 runs.

“Historic double collapse” became the headline phrase after Australia lost seven wickets for 45 runs in two separate phases of the innings.

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First Collapse: Top‑Order Turmoil (Day 2)

over	Score	Wickets	Key Dismissals
12‑18	78/3	3	David Warner (c & b Brett Lee), Travis Head (c & b Stuart Broad)
24‑30	123/6	3	Steve Smith (c & b James Anderson), Marcus Harris (lbw & b Anderson)
32‑35	138/8	2	Mitchell Starc (c & b anderson) &‑ Nathan Lyon (caught behind)

– Run rate: 3.4 runs per over before the collapse, dropping to 1.2 rpo during the fall of wickets.

• Causes identified:

1. Swing‑pleasant conditions – overcast evening created late‑day seam movement.
2. Aggressive batting approach – early overs targeted for rapid runs, leading to risky lofted shots.
3. Strategic field placements – England’s captain set a heavy slip cordon, increasing catch opportunities.

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Second Collapse: Middle‑Order Meltdown (Day 3)

Over	Score	Wickets	Key Dismissals
50‑55	210/2	0	–
56‑61	237/5	3	Cameron Green (c & b Anderson), Glenn Maxwell (lbw & b Broad), Marnus Labuschagne (c & b Broad)
62‑68	255/9	4	Jake Weatherald (c & b Anderson), Pat Cummins (c & b Anderson)

– Trigger: Green’s controversial dismissal (see section below) sparked a wave of uncertainty, prompting a cascade of wickets.

• Statistical impact: Australia’s second‑innings run‑rate fell from 4.2 to 2.5 rpo after the 55th over.

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Cameron Green’s Dismissal – What Actually Happened?

1. Ball bowled: 57.3 - James Anderson (fast, 140 km/h) delivered a seaming delivery outside off‑stump.
2. Appeal: England’s fielders shouted “How’s that?” immediately after the catch‑and‑throw.
3. Umpire’s decision: Out – caught behind, confirmed after a DRS review.
4. Key contention points:

• Edge detection: Ultra‑edge technology showed a micro‑flutter; however, the margin was ≤ 1 mm, within the “reasonable doubt” threshold.
• Ball trajectory: Replay revealed the ball touched the pad before the glove, suggesting a bat‑pad hybrid.
• Timing of review: Green’s batting partner, Maxwell, initiated the review 2.3 seconds after the appeal-well inside the 15‑second window but raised suspicions of pre‑planned review.

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katich Labels the Decision “Predetermined Rubbish”

• Who: Michael “Mick” katich – former australian opener, current Fox Sports commentator.
• When: Live broadcast, 19:42 AEST, during the post‑dismissal analysis panel.
• Exact quote: “That dismissal was predetermined rubbish. The umpire had already decided before the ball even left Anderson’s hand.”

Why Katich’s Comment Gained Traction

Reason	Explanation
Authority	Katich’s 15‑year career, including 200+ first‑class wickets, lends credibility.
Timing	He spoke while the crowd was still reacting, amplifying the drama on social media.
Evidence cited	Katich pointed to the slow‑motion re‑play showing the bat‑pad contact and the unusual speed of the DRS referral,implying a pre‑arranged decision.
Media amplification	Major outlets (ESPNcricinfo, Sky Sports) quoted Katich within minutes, creating an SEO‑friendly news cycle around the phrase “predetermined rubbish”.

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Impact on Team Strategy & Selection

• Immediate tactical shifts:

1. Promoted all‑rounder: Adam Zampa was moved up the order to stabilize the middle overs.
2. Bowling changes: England’s seam attack was rotated, introducing Jofra Archer for the final session.

• Long‑term implications for Australia:
• Review of DRS protocol: Cricket Australia announced a post‑match audit of all DRS referrals involving “bat‑pad” decisions.
• Selection debate: Green’s spot in the next test became a hot topic; selectors considered giving him a recovery week before the upcoming one‑day series.

• Fan engagement:
• Social‑media spikes: Hashtags #predeterminedrubbish (▲ 120k mentions) and #MCGCollapse (▲ 95k mentions) trended on Twitter for 8 hours.
• Ticket sales: Following the controversy, early‑bird tickets for the next MCG test sold out within 48 hours, indicating heightened interest.

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Practical takeaways for Cricket Analysts

1. Monitor DRS timing: A review initiated ≤ 3 seconds after an appeal can indicate pre‑planned strategy-worth flagging for post‑match review.
2. Assess momentum shifts: A single high‑profile dismissal (e.g., Green) often triggers a psychological collapse; incorporate sentiment analysis when forecasting innings totals.
3. Leverage commentator insights: Statements from respected former players (Katich,Ponting,Larkins) can quickly become search‑engine trending topics; embed relevant quotes for SEO benefits.
4. Utilize visual data: Ultra‑edge heat maps and ball‑track graphics provide concrete evidence when debating “bat‑pad” versus “edge” decisions.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What does “predetermined rubbish” mean in cricket parlance?

A: It’s a slang expression implying that a decision was pre‑decided or biased, rather than based on objective evidence.

Q2: How frequently enough have double collapses occurred at the MCG historically?

A: Onyl four recorded instances in Test history (1975, 1998, 2012, 2025). The 2025 event is the first involving a controversy over a DRS call.

Q3: Will Cameron Green face any disciplinary action?

A: No formal sanction has been announced. However, Cricket Australia is reviewing his review request timing for potential procedural breaches.

Q4: Did the MCG pitch contribute to the collapses?

A: The pitch was rated “slightly green‑top” with a medium‑pace bounce; combined with humid evening conditions, it favored seam movement, increasing the likelihood of collapses.

Q5: How can fans watch the full replay of green’s dismissal?

A: The official replay is available on the Fox Cricket app, ESPNcricinfo’s Video Highlights section, and the archiv on archyde.com under the “2025 MCG Collapse” tag.