Key Takeaways
- The Melbourne Cricket Ground’s (MCG) head curator, Matthew Page, has conceded that the pitch for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England was too heavily favored towards bowlers.
- The Test match finished within two days, resulting in a potential heavy financial loss for Cricket Australia and refunds for patrons who had purchased tickets for day three.
- The pitch was criticized by players, including England captain Ben Stokes, and former fast-bowling greats such as Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath, and Brett Lee.
- The MCG’s chief executive, Stuart Fox, has stood by Page, saying he has full faith in the curator and his team.
- The extra time off will give both teams a chance to prepare for the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) starting on January 4.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Boxing Day Test between Australia and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) ended in controversy, with the match finishing within two days due to a pitch that was deemed too heavily favored towards bowlers. The MCG’s head curator, Matthew Page, has conceded that the pitch was not balanced, saying that staff went "too far" in preparing a surface that resulted in a landslide of wickets. Page expressed his disappointment and shock at the outcome, stating that he was in a "state of shock" while watching the match unfold.
The Pitch Preparation
Page explained that the decision to leave 10 mm of grass on the pitch, up from 7mm last year, was made to balance the contest between bat and ball over the four or five days of the Test match. However, in hindsight, he acknowledged that the pitch favored the bowlers too much on the first two days, making it difficult for batters to score runs. The pitch was treacherous to bat on, with batters struggling with the sideways movement of the wobble-seam ball. Page emphasized the importance of providing seam movement at the MCG, stating that without it, the pitch would become "dull, lifeless, and flat."
Criticism from Players and Experts
The pitch was widely criticized by players, including England captain Ben Stokes, who said that it was not ideal for a Boxing Day Test match. Former fast-bowling greats such as Stuart Broad, Glenn McGrath, and Brett Lee also expressed their disappointment with the pitch, saying that it was unfair for batters. The criticism was not limited to the players, with many experts and fans also weighing in on the issue. The pitch was seen as a major factor in the match finishing within two days, resulting in a potential heavy financial loss for Cricket Australia.
Support for the Curator
Despite the criticism, the MCG’s chief executive, Stuart Fox, has stood by Page, saying that he has full faith in the curator and his team. Fox suggested that not all of the blame should be on Page, pointing out that aggressive batting also contributed to the landslide of wickets. Fox praised Page’s work, saying that he was considered one of the best curators in the country and that he had done a great job in preparing the pitch. Australia star Travis Head also expressed his support for Page, saying that he felt for him and that it was a tough job to get the pitch right.
Financial Implications
The early finish to the Test match has resulted in a potential heavy financial loss for Cricket Australia, with millions of dollars in refunds to be handed to patrons who had purchased tickets for day three. The loss is a significant blow to Cricket Australia, coming just a month after the Ashes opener in Perth also ended with three days to spare. The financial implications of the early finish are likely to be felt for some time, with the loss of revenue from ticket sales and other sources likely to have a significant impact on the organization.
Preparations for the Next Test
The extra time off will give both teams a chance to prepare for the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) starting on January 4. The teams will be looking to regroup and refocus after the controversy surrounding the MCG pitch. The SCG pitch is expected to be more balanced, providing a better contest between bat and ball. The final Test will be a crucial one, with the series still alive and both teams looking to end the series on a high note. The MCG’s curator, Matthew Page, will be looking to redeem himself after the criticism surrounding the MCG pitch, and will be working hard to ensure that the SCG pitch provides a fair and exciting contest for both teams.
