THE MCC has been handed an official warning from the ICC over the Boxing Day Test pitch which was given a “poor” rating after the match finished in a dull draw.

Both captains criticised the flat wicket for failing to give the bowlers anything and an ICC assessment echoed those sentiments, handing down the embarrassing rating.

It was the first time an Australian pitch had ever been rated as poor.

But both the MCC and Cricket Australia avoided a financial penalty and were instead put on notice to provide a better playing surface for all future international cricket.

A groundsman hits the MCG pitch with a sledgehammer on day five. Source: AAP

New curator Matthew Page has taken over preparation of the wicket being used in Sunday’s one-day game between Australia and New Zealand.

Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who has played on the MCG with the Melbourne Stars twice since the Boxing Day farce, was confident the pitch would be good.

“It is a good wicket, it will be a good wicket I am quite confident of that,” he said on Friday.

CA sent a detailed response to the ICC after the initial assessment and a spokesperson said they would continue to address the issues with the MCG’s drop-in wickets to avoid any further problems.

Alastair Cook smashed a double century on the placid deck. Source: AAP

“The MCG Test is an iconic event on the Australian, and world, cricket calendar, and has an enormous role to play in inspiring the next generation of fans to engage in the game,” the spokesperson said.

“Cricket Australia and the MCC have committed to work together to finding and resourcing solutions to ensure that the MCG regains its unique characteristics, and is seen as one of the best Test pitches in the world.

“Cricket Australia wants to work closely with all of its venues to continue to produce wickets that are challenging for both bat and ball, and ultimately provide fans with highly engaging cricket.”

And new MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said a review of how the drop-in wickets were prepared had already begun.

England fielding coach Paul Collingwood inspects the MCG deck. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: News Corp Australia

“We are continuing to take on board all feedback from players, umpires and cricket bodies regarding the Boxing Day Test pitch,” Fox said.

“In consultation with our key stakeholders we have commenced a thorough review of the MCG pitches and processes. This has already led to the identification of measures and actions that will assist us in improving our performance and encourage the development of pitches that contain the unique characteristics that the MCG is known for.

“As an historic cricket venue and club we hold ourselves to a high standard and will be working rigorously to produce pitches that generate entertaining cricket in 2018 and beyond.”

The MCG Test was the last Test to be rated under the old ICC regulations, with a revised process being introduced in men’s and women’s international cricket from 4 January, 2018.

Demerit points are accrued by venues which produce sub-standard wickets. Any ground which gets five demerit points would be banned from hosting international cricket for 12 months.