Melbourne, Australia - The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) curator, Matt Page, has faced the media following scathing criticism from prominent cricketers Steve Smith and Ben Stokes regarding the pitch prepared for the fourth Ashes Test. The match concluded in a mere two days, with England securing a four-wicket victory, but the unusually swift finish has sparked widespread debate and concern.
Page admitted to being in a "state of shock" after the first day's play, which saw an unprecedented 20 wickets fall, the most on the first day of an Ashes Test since 1909. In total, 36 wickets fell for 572 runs across the entire match. He expressed his disappointment that the Test lasted only 952 balls, barely longer than the first Test in Perth, which also concluded in two days. This marks the first time in 129 years that an Ashes series has witnessed multiple two-day Tests.
The primary concern revolves around the excessive amount of grass left on the pitch, reportedly 10 millimeters, which both Smith and Stokes suggested contributed significantly to the unpredictable and bowler-dominated conditions. Smith described the pitch as "furry" and noted that the ball was "sitting in the grass," making it difficult for batsmen to settle and build an innings. He mused that reducing the grass to eight millimeters might have created a more balanced contest.
Stokes, while celebrating England's first Test win in Australia in 15 years, was equally critical. He stated bluntly that a Boxing Day Test, traditionally a showpiece event, should not conclude in under two days and implied that such a surface, if produced elsewhere, would have attracted "hell-on" criticism, alluding to the scrutiny often faced by pitches in the Asian subcontinent.
The repercussions of the shortened Test extend beyond sporting disappointment. Cricket Australia is bracing for substantial financial losses, estimated at around A$10 million, due to the early finish, with millions in refunds due to ticket holders who had anticipated five days of play.
Stuart Fox, chief of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), acknowledged the disappointment and the impact on fans and Cricket Australia. While expressing faith in Page and his team's ability to rectify the issue, Fox emphasized the challenges of pitch curation, citing unpredictable weather conditions as a significant factor.
Page explained that the decision to leave 10mm of grass was influenced by forecasts of hot weather later in the match, aiming to maintain moisture and prevent the pitch from becoming too flat, a concern stemming from the heavily criticized "road" of a pitch produced in 2017. He stated that the goal is always to strike a balance between bat and ball, ensuring a captivating contest throughout a five-day Test.
The curator's comments suggest a commitment to learning from the experience and ensuring a more balanced pitch in the future. The incident has, however, opened up a broader conversation about the role of curators, the influence of cricket boards, and the fine line between creating a lively pitch and one that is unfairly skewed in favor of bowlers. The focus now shifts to the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where both teams will be hoping for a more even contest and a return to the traditional five-day format.
