AUS vs IND- MCG Curator Backs Bumrah-friendly pitch, issues clarification on India practice pitch controversy (Photo Source: BCCI)
The coveted Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) is set to host its crucial fourth Test at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), beginning on December 26. Notably, the upcoming Test will be a “Boxing Day” event and all eyes will be on the pitch, weather, and the impact it might have on the outcome of the series.
Ahead of the much-awaited game, it was revealed that Team India’s premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah was expected to enjoy the conditions on offer, according to the MCG head curator, Matt Page. Currently, the series is tied at 1-1 after India’s brilliant 295-run win in Perth, which was followed by a 10-wicket defeat in Adelaide in the pink ball fixture. The third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a rain-affected draw. With the visitors looking for a historic third consecutive series win in Australia, the Baggy Greens are looking to get back their dominance.
The MCG has seen a change in its pitch preparation over recent years, with an emphasis on offering more pace and bounce. Page hinted at the enjoyment for bowlers like Bumrah, saying that the wicket might not match the sheer speed of Perth or Brisbane, but it would provide enough life to assist pace bowlers. Meanwhile, the forecast suggests 40-degree temperatures on Day One, which Page believes could further enhance the wicket’s pace.
“All the good bowlers get excited when they come here now. It gets through well for us. We’re never going to be as quick as Perth and Brisbane, but over the last few years, we’ve managed to get some pace in it, which has created that excitement.
There’s a bit of grass on it. If you’re a fast bowler and you look at it, you probably do get excited. It probably means it might quicken up a bit quicker than what it would if it was 20 (degrees). Whether we leave a bit more moisture in it, I can’t say yes or no at this stage. We’ll keep monitoring the weather … and adjust our preparation accordingly. We’ve been really happy with the last couple of years, so it’s a rinse-and-repeat job for us,” Page said as quoted by The WA Today.
For India, this Test is crucial. Bumrah, with his accuracy and variations will be the side’s key weapon for this Test. The fast bowler has already been brilliant in the series and will look to make the most of the MCG surface to unsettle the Australian batting lineup.
If India had trained this morning, they would have been on those fresh pitches: Page
Meanwhile, ahead of the fourth Test, the MCG pitch Curator Matt Page was surrounded by a practice pitch controversy, where some Indian media reports accused the Australian board of being biased towards Team India regarding the kind of pitches used for the practice sessions. However, after revealing the possible playing conditions to greet both the teams on the boxing day, he also issued a clarification regarding the controversy.
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Page in his defense said that the standard protocols were followed while allocating the practice pitches. He also added that three days before usually they prepare Test match pitches for the venue. Hence, any visiting side conducting net practices before that usually gets the already existing pitches to practice on. Having said it, if Team India had opted to practice this morning, then they would definitely have got a fresh pitch.
“For us, three days out, we prepare Test match pitches for here. If teams come and train before that, they get what pitches we have had. Today, we are on fresh pitches. If India had trained this morning, they would have been on those fresh pitches. It’s stock standard procedure for us, three days out,” Page concluded.
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