Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch curator Matt Page was surprised to see the fourth Ashes Test wrapped up inside two days. The much-anticipated Boxing Day Test between Australia and England saw 36 wickets fall on a seam-friendly pitch, with 20 coming on the opening day alone.
The first day of the Boxing Day Test witnessed the biggest-ever turnout at the MCG, with close to 95,000 spectators in attendance. Day 2 was also a sell-out, but the match ended an hour and a half into the third session.
“I was in a state of shock after the first day, seeing everything that happened, 20 wickets in a day,” Page told reporters in Melbourne. “I’ve never been involved in a Test match like it, and hopefully will never be involved in a Test match like it again.”
The MCG pitch had around 10mm of grass on the surface, compared to 7mm last year when Australia played India at the venue.
Page stressed that his aim was to provide a pitch that offers a balance between bat and ball. “Every year is different and the margins are very small, but at the back of your mind, you’re always trying to provide that contest,” he said. “We’re about trying to deliver captivating Test cricket — that balance between bat and ball over four or five days.”
It was a double blow for Australia. First, they lost the Test — their first home defeat to England since 2011. With the match ending early, Cricket Australia (CA) also suffered a financial hit, especially with a sold-out third day going to waste.
“As mesmerising, fascinating and enjoyable as a 20-wicket day was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to last longer,” CA CEO Todd Greenberg said.
Criticism was not limited to former players and administrators, as both captains were also critical of the pitch for offering too much assistance to the bowlers.
For More Sports Related News: Follow RevSportz
