The Boxing Day Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) concluded in a stunning two days, prompting discussions about the state of modern Test cricket and the performance of the Australian batting lineup. England secured a four-wicket victory, chasing down a target of 175 runs in just 32.2 overs, marking their first Test win in Australia in 14 years.

The rapid conclusion of the match, with a total of 36 wickets falling, has ignited debate about the challenging batting conditions and whether the pitch favored bowlers excessively. Kerry O'Keeffe humorously noted the bowler-friendly conditions, while Mark Waugh observed that the Australian batsmen appeared to bat "loosely," suggesting a lack of adaptability to the difficult surface. Waugh, however, expressed surprise at the suggestion that batting is harder in the modern age. He believes that modern bats have made it easier, but acknowledged that pitches in Australia have offered more to fast bowlers recently.

The Australian batting performance has come under scrutiny, with concerns raised about the top order's inability to cope with the bowling and the pitch's "trickery". Travis Head's 12 was the highest score from any of the top four batters across both teams. Some observers have pointed to a potential over-reliance on a few key players, with a lack of depth in the batting lineup. This has led to calls for a shake-up in batting coaching to address the perceived struggles.

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has previously described the Australian side as the "worst since 2010". While his comments were made before the series and met with some derision, the performance in the Boxing Day Test has fueled the discussion about the team's overall quality compared to past Australian squads.

Despite the criticism, it's worth noting that Australia remains a formidable force in Test cricket, currently holding the top spot in the ICC Test Rankings. They have a rich history in the format, with the highest winning percentage of all Test-playing nations. The team is also the current ICC Cricket World Cup champions.

The two-day finish to the Boxing Day Test has disappointed many, with Cricket Australia issuing automatic refunds for tickets purchased for the unused days. The match drew a record crowd of 94,119 on Boxing Day, highlighting the enduring popularity of Test cricket in Australia, even amidst concerns about batting performances and match durations.

As the series progresses, the Australian team will be looking to address the concerns raised and demonstrate their ability to adapt and perform under pressure. The focus will be on the batting unit to see if they can rise to the occasion and prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with.