MELBOURNE: The Melbourne Cricket Ground is underneath drive to provide a pitch that delivers a fairer contest between bat and ball within the Boxing Day Test between Australia and south africa after the series-opener on the Gabba was once over inside of two days.
Australia gained the Brisbane Test by way of six wickets as batters struggled on a green-top pitch that was once criticized by way of South Africa captain Dean Elgar and earned a “below average” ranking by way of the International Cricket Council,
Along with fanatics denied motion lasting as much as 5 days, broadcasters additionally misplaced out on promoting income.
Cricket Australia operations leader peter roach mentioned the governing frame had no keep watch over over MCG curator Matt Page and his paintings at the pitch however would interact with him within the lead-up to the Test beginning Monday.
“We expect our curators, again, to find that balance between bat and ball given the unique characteristics of the venue they are at,” Roach advised journalists on Wednesday.
Last 12 months’s Boxing Day Test was once over inside of 3 days, as Australia thrashed England in a one-sided ashes festival.
Australia vice captain Steve Smith mentioned he was hoping Melbourne could be kinder to batsmen, ranking the Gabba pitch as “probably” probably the most tough he had ever performed on in his house country.
“Some balls were sitting in the wicket, making divots, some were zinging through and it was just incredibly difficult to bat against,” Smith mentioned on Wednesday.
“Whether it was unsafe or not, it’s not really my place to judge, but it certainly wasn’t easy to bat.
“As a batter I’d like (the wicket) to perform a little bit much less.
“I think it’s a fine balance just trying to get that even contest between bat and ball.”
Australia will glance to seal the three-match collection with any other win in Melbourne.
Australia gained the Brisbane Test by way of six wickets as batters struggled on a green-top pitch that was once criticized by way of South Africa captain Dean Elgar and earned a “below average” ranking by way of the International Cricket Council,
Along with fanatics denied motion lasting as much as 5 days, broadcasters additionally misplaced out on promoting income.
Cricket Australia operations leader peter roach mentioned the governing frame had no keep watch over over MCG curator Matt Page and his paintings at the pitch however would interact with him within the lead-up to the Test beginning Monday.
“We expect our curators, again, to find that balance between bat and ball given the unique characteristics of the venue they are at,” Roach advised journalists on Wednesday.
Last 12 months’s Boxing Day Test was once over inside of 3 days, as Australia thrashed England in a one-sided ashes festival.
Australia vice captain Steve Smith mentioned he was hoping Melbourne could be kinder to batsmen, ranking the Gabba pitch as “probably” probably the most tough he had ever performed on in his house country.
“Some balls were sitting in the wicket, making divots, some were zinging through and it was just incredibly difficult to bat against,” Smith mentioned on Wednesday.
“Whether it was unsafe or not, it’s not really my place to judge, but it certainly wasn’t easy to bat.
“As a batter I’d like (the wicket) to perform a little bit much less.
“I think it’s a fine balance just trying to get that even contest between bat and ball.”
Australia will glance to seal the three-match collection with any other win in Melbourne.