Australian players forced to attend first-of-its-kind fan event at MCG after two-day Ashes results in revenue loss

Key Highlights

• Twenty wickets fell on the opening day, and England wrapped up their first victory in Australia since 2011 by the second day.
• This is the second Test in this series to finish in just two days. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADThe early finish has hit Cricket Australia hard, with estimated losses of around AUD$10 million in revenue.
• To make up for the loss, the Australian players were reportedly forced to attend a fan event at Yarra Park, adjacent to the MCG, where they signed autographs and posed for photos. More from First Cricket BCCI clears the air on talk of Gautam Gambhir’s sacking and VVS Laxman's red-ball takeover: 'There is no truth' Pakistan begin T20 World Cup 2026 preparations without key stars in crucial Sri Lanka seriesTravis Head, as quoted by TalkSPORT, said he would “much rather be playing cricket and hopefully winning a game,” but added, “it’s the least we can do.” Head also dismissed ideas of a one-off exhibition match, joking about the unusual situation.
• “I’m not playing these guys (England) in a one-dayer - no chance,” he added. The Summer Fest fan zone in Yarra Park will be open from 9.00am tomorrow, with members of the Australian team in attendance from 10.15am in recognition of fan support during the Ashes series ☀️ Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) December 27, 2025Quick ReadsView All'Won't require surgery...': Real reason behind Jasprit Bumrah's absence from 5th Test revealed in new reportPCB bans players from WCL over India-Pakistan match controversyThe quick defeat has raised questions about the MCG pitch.
• Head curator Matthew Page admitted he was left “in a state of shock” and apologised for the two-day finish.