MCG Curator Reflects on Controversial Boxing Day Test Pitch After 20 Wickets Fall

MCG Curator's Reaction to the Boxing Day Test

Melbourne, Australia - December 28: Matt Page, the chief curator of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), has expressed his astonishment regarding the much-debated pitch used during the fourth Boxing Day Ashes Test. He admitted to being in a "state of shock" after witnessing 20 wickets fall on the first day and expressed a desire to avoid such an experience in the future.

The Boxing Day Test faced heavy criticism from various cricket experts, including former players from both Australia and England, as well as international commentators. The match concluded in just two days, with a staggering total of 36 wickets falling and no batsman managing to score a fifty, highlighting the bowlers' dominance on a pitch that favored pace.

In an interview with SEN Cricket, Page shared, "I was in a state of shock after the first day to see everything that happened. 20 wickets in a day is unprecedented for me, and I hope to never experience a Test match like that again."

He described the two-day match as a "rollercoaster ride" and emphasized that the grounds staff would learn valuable lessons from this experience. "It was a rollercoaster ride for two days to see everything unfold. We will learn from it, grow, and improve, just as we have in previous years. I am confident we will return stronger than ever," he stated.

While Page expressed disappointment over the rapid conclusion of such a significant event in the cricket calendar, he acknowledged that the staff had intentionally created more bowler-friendly pitches this year. He explained the decision to leave 10mm of grass on the pitch, stating, "This year, we produced a pitch that favored bowlers more than batters. The hot weather leading up to the match allowed us to manage moisture effectively, and we aimed to create a contest early in the game."

Page further elaborated, "We felt we had the right balance leading into the game. We opted for 10mm of grass, anticipating hot weather towards the end of the match." He also noted that the grounds staff is keenly aware of the issues associated with flat pitches and aims to avoid a return to the flatter surfaces of 2017.

"Our grass is crucial to our work. We strive for consistent bounce and minimal deterioration in our pitches. Our goal is to maintain a competitive balance between bat and ball over four or five days to deliver an engaging Test match for everyone," he added. "We will ensure we get it right next year," he concluded.

In the match itself, England won the toss and chose to bowl first. Josh Tongue achieved England's first-ever five-wicket haul in a Boxing Day Test at the MCG, as Australia was dismissed for 152 runs in 45.2 overs. Michael Neser (35 runs off 49 balls) and Usman Khawaja (29 runs off 52 balls) were the top scorers for Australia, with Neser contributing to a half-century partnership with Cameron Green (17) before a run-out triggered a collapse.

England was bowled out for 110 runs in 29.5 overs during their first innings, with Harry Brook (41 runs off 34 balls) and Gus Atkinson (28 runs off 35 balls) being the notable contributors. The combination of England's aggressive 'Bazball' approach faltering and the pitch's challenging nature allowed Neser (4/45) and local hero Scott Boland (3/30) to claim easy wickets, leaving England trailing by 42 runs.

In their second innings, Australia struggled again, reflecting the pitch's treacherous conditions. Only Travis Head (46 runs off 67 balls) and Steve Smith (24* runs off 39 balls) managed to score over 20 runs as Australia was dismissed for 132 runs in 34.3 overs. This left Australia with a lead of 174 runs, setting England a target of 175 to win.

During the chase, England started strong with a half-century partnership between Zak Crawley (37 runs off 48 balls) and Ben Duckett (34 runs off 26 balls), followed by a 47-run partnership for the third wicket between Crawley and Jacob Bethell (40 runs off 46 balls). Although Australia fought back, reducing England from 112/2 to 165/6, Harry Brook (18*) and Jamie Smith (3*) ultimately guided their team to a memorable victory.