As the highly anticipated Boxing Day Test between India and Australia approaches, all eyes are on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where the pitch conditions are set to play a crucial role in the match.
The pitch, which had a noticeable green tinge on Monday, three days before the fourth Test, has raised expectations for a seam-friendly surface. According to MCG curator Matt Page, the pitch will provide significant assistance to fast bowlers, with minimal help for spinners.
The green tinge observed on the centre pitch suggests that the ball may swing and seam early on, making life difficult for the batsmen, especially with the new ball.
However, Page has downplayed the possibility of the pitch breaking up over time, stating that the MCG is typically not known for providing substantial turn as the game progresses.
The pitch, he explained, has generally been more suited to fast bowlers than spinners in recent years, a trend he does not anticipate changing for this Test.
The conditions are particularly important for India, who come into the Boxing Day Test with a strong record at the MCG, having won their last two Tests at the venue.
India’s performance has been impressive in Melbourne, with a notable win in 2020-21, where they fielded two spinners. The team has also relied on part-time spinners like Hanuma Vihari in the past, while Ravindra Jadeja played a key role in the 2018 Test.
With R. Ashwin, who has enjoyed success at the MCG, retiring after the third Test in Brisbane, India will need to decide whether to opt for two spinners, with Washington Sundar emerging as a potential replacement.
The forecast of high temperatures, reaching up to 40 degrees on Boxing Day, adds another layer of complexity to how the surface may behave. Page explained that while the pitch will offer assistance to fast bowlers, it should still be good for batting once the new ball has lost its shine.
The 6mm of grass left on the pitch is designed to provide lively conditions for seamers but will not offer excessive assistance to spinners. The goal is to create a balanced contest, with both bowlers and batsmen having their opportunities.
One of the key factors influencing the pitch conditions is the quality of players in international cricket.
Page clarified that while the preparation for the Boxing Day Test will be similar to the conditions seen in the Sheffield Shield match earlier in December, there will be slightly less seam movement. In the Shield match, Queensland triumphed in a low-scoring thriller, with no team managing to score more than 250 runs.
The MCG’s pitch for the Boxing Day Test will not be as spicy as those used for Shield games, Page noted, as the quality of players at the international level tends to produce more balanced matches.
The pitch at the MCG has undergone significant improvements in recent years, particularly after the 2017 Ashes Test, when the surface was criticised for being dull and lifeless.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had labelled the pitch as “poor” after a high-scoring draw with little assistance for either pacers or spinners. Curator Matt Page, who joined the MCG from Perth’s WACA in 2016, has played a pivotal role in transforming the pitch.
Drawing from his experience with the lively pitches of Perth, Page introduced changes to the surface to restore balance. His efforts have focused on creating pitches that offer pace, bounce, and carry, ensuring that spinners can also find something to work with as the match progresses.
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