The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is under scrutiny after the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England concluded in a mere two days, prompting financial fallout for Cricket Australia (CA). MCG Head Curator Matthew Page has taken responsibility for the overly bowler-friendly pitch, admitting that the preparation "went too far".
The rapid conclusion of the Test match is expected to cost CA upwards of $10 million. This financial blow stems from the obligation to refund tickets for the unused third, fourth, and fifth days of the match. Approximately 90,000 tickets had been sold for day three alone, traditionally one of the busiest days of the Boxing Day Test. The automatic refund policy, while convenient for fans, places a significant burden on CA.
Page expressed his disappointment, stating he was in a "state of shock" as he watched the game unfold. He explained the intention behind leaving 10mm of grass on the pitch, up from 7mm the previous year, was to ensure a balanced contest between bat and ball throughout the entire Test, particularly considering the expected hot weather later in the match. However, the strategy backfired, creating a pitch that heavily favored seam bowlers.
The pitch's treacherous nature was evident as batsmen from both sides struggled against the significant sideways movement of the ball. Some players were even struck on the body due to the unpredictable bounce. Despite the concern, Page defended the need for some seam movement at the MCG, explaining that without it, the pitch becomes "very dull, very lifeless and very flat," which is detrimental to players, spectators, and the game itself. He acknowledged that in this instance, they had overdone it, leading to the two-day finish.
The early finish at the MCG follows a similar incident in Perth, where the first Ashes Test also concluded in two days, costing CA an estimated $5 million. This back-to-back occurrence of short matches has ignited discussions about the financial risks associated with Test cricket.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has indicated that the governing body may take a more active role in overseeing pitch preparation in the future. Some prominent figures in cricket, including Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, and Glenn McGrath, have criticized the MCG pitch, suggesting that too much grass was left on the surface, excessively favoring fast bowlers. Former England captain Michael Vaughan described the pitch as "a joke".
The International Cricket Council (ICC) may also review the MCG's pitch rating following the Test. The current situation has sparked debate among fans and experts alike, raising questions about finding the right balance in pitch preparation to ensure entertaining and financially viable Test matches.
