India, Dec. 28 -- Thirty-six wickets in six sessions, a two-day finish, and a Boxing Day Test that ended before most fans had even warmed up to the game, the MCG surface for the fourth Ashes Test has triggered an uncomfortable postscript for Australian cricket, even as England celebrated a landmark win.

England chased down the target to win by four wickets in the evening session of day two, sealing their first Test victory in Australia since 2011. Cricket Australia estimates the early finish will cost the organisation around A$10m in lost revenue, a rare financial sting for what is usually the series' showpiece fixture.

Even England captain Ben Stokes, speaking after the win, acknowledged the scrutiny the pitch would attract beyond Melb...