Despite hopes the MCG pitch could be improved after a 30-minute run with the roller, Day 1 of the Victoria-Western Australia Sheffield Shield clash has been abandoned.
Play was halted in the 40th over amid concerns the pitch wasn’t safe to play on.
Over the opening hours of the match, batsmen were struck several times by deliveries that reared up off a length.
RSN and Cricket Victoria broadcaster Adam White reported players from both sides expressed concerns with the nature of the pitch.
Just weeks from the Boxing Day Test, CA’s Head of Cricket Operations Peter Roach says the matter is disappointing, yet the marquee match will use a different pitch strip.
“Matt Page and the MCG groundstaff have more than two weeks to ensure the Test surface, which is a different pitch strip to the one being used in this match, is of international standard.
“We will seek to better understand the issues that resulted in variable bounce at the MCG on Saturday. We will also work closely with MCG groundstaff in the lead up to the Test match.”
Irie
Roar Rookie
Might actually make an MCG test interesting if they leave it like that
Nick
Guest
What were the crowds like in Adelaide? Every time I turned the tele on all I saw were 3kids and a couple of adults.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Alice, I don't know whether it's an urban myth, but there's a persistent statement floating about that says the SCG has no access for the size of truck that delivers drop ins. Anyone know?
chris
Guest
Both teams have to play on it so whats the problem?
chris
Guest
Both teams have to play on it so just suck it up.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
OH&S world ha ha…unreal. If Peter Siddle is busting blokes in the ribs at 125km/hr off a length, that says it all about this unprofessional facility. The MCG has been hopeless for ages.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
If it’s d/n it’ll only be a one hour time difference - 5.30pm finish in India for Perth vs 4.30pm for Gabba If it’s day Test, 8am start for Perth vs 5.30am for Gabba. Makes little difference, though Gabba has slight advantage re first session being before work.
Alicesprings
Guest
Bradman was making 100’s on pitches like this and without a helmet. Whatever the reason it will be mighty hard for the SCG to maintain its square. Also will be interesting to see how it goes with the upcoming scheduled absolutely crammed.
Alicesprings
Guest
Perth will get the nod due to the time zone - it will be a straight forward commercial decision.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
IF India agrees to two D/N Tests as CA is requesting - and that is a big if - I expect India will be having a lot of say about the rest of the scheduling, including venues. That said, their only loss last summer was in Perth, so I don't think it should be an automatic expectation that India will avoid Gabba at all costs based on likelihood of win/loss. I can't see how CA is going to get India over the line on two D/Ns. BCCI have said they would only consider playing D/N in Australia if there is sufficient prep/practice time - this would include at least one D/N tour match. There's only about 10 days scheduled between the end of the T20WC and the 1st Test v India. It will be very tough to schedule much in the way of warm ups to give them practice for the first two Tests as D/N.
Alicesprings
Guest
And you’ve never played on anything but roads for wickets? Should come up here and play on some of the pitches (not including Traeger)!! I wonder how many pitches going back a few years would be deemed unsafe?
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Yeah I agree. Hobart Manuka, Townsville or Alice Springs. I honestly don’t think Brisbane will see a test next year. The general Brisbane public don’t deserve it
Tom
That’ll be a joke, no one will turn up to that in November at any of the major grounds, play it at Manuka or Blundstone. Not playing the first test at the Gabba against India is what they want to happen.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Every city gets good crowds when good teams are here. The test is when ordinary teams are here and Brisbane is bottom of the barrel. I think the only test Brisbane will get next year will be Afghanistan.
Tom
You've never played cricket, have you? Rubbish pitch
Tom
Nope. If we get good teams playing here we get good crowds. No one wants to watch Pakistan and SL
Tom
Guessing he means Ferguson
Johnno
Roar Rookie
Completed
Johnno
Roar Rookie
I notice on live.cricket that this match is shown as. O plated with a “no result”. Does anyone know what that means?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
As Shaun Marsh explained, the pitch was wet beneath the surface. Each ball left a little divot. As the clay hardened these divots were permanently hard (like the surface of a golf ball). It was then that half volleys flew into helmets and ribs. Unless they change the venue and start again, it will have to be abandoned.