From the bore draw of 2017 when former England opener Alastair Cook broke a lean run with a record 244 not out, the MCG pitch has turned 180 degrees in two Ashes cycles. Cook’s mark will outlast us all if the recent push towards seam-friendly pitches goes from a trend to a tradition.
On a chilly morning more suited to the venue’s winter game, Page was in a jovial mood at the MCC’s breakfast, joking that summer had not yet arrived in Melbourne. It has not made his job easier.
Scott Boland was in his element at the MCG, firstly at the sight of the lush grass on the pitch, and then once he exploited the conditions to trap Harry Brook lbw.Credit: Getty Images
Melbourne’s fickle weather is an occupational hazard for curators. Knowing his pitch does not deteriorate, Page errs on the side of favouring the seamers early.
Batting error was to blame for enough of the 20 wickets that tumbled for this not to rest entirely in the lap of the curator. Nineteen fell on the first day in Perth, which still received the highest possible rating from the International Cricket Council.
CA chief Todd Greenberg said that he hoped the Melbourne Test would get to day five, as had been the case in Adelaide last week, and that ground staff would be held accountable if a well-grassed pitch resulted in an early finish, as would the selectors if Australia’s attack was unbalanced by the absence of spin.
“We want cricket wickets that have a balance between bat and ball,” Greenberg said. “We’ve got enormous faith in the venue, in the team here, in the people and the experts. Like all of us, players, administrators, we’ll all be held accountable, and we’re all held accountable to our performances.
The MCG crowd show their appreciation for Scott Boland.Credit: Justin McManus
“This is another big performance over the next five days, I hope it does go five days, but these guys know what they’re doing when they’re preparing cricket wickets, and I have no doubt our selectors and coaching staff know what they’re doing on their selections as well.”
The idea to opening with a tailender is one Australia has long considered though rarely enacted.
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Neser described it as a “no-brainer”. If a wicket is to fall, best it is the No.11 than an opener. Although it should be noted that Boland only lasted one ball at the bottom of the order in Australia’s first innings.
“I never thought I was going to open the batting with Travis Head at the ’G in front of 95,000,” Boland said on Triple M. “That was awesome.
“When you’re in that position, it’s only one over, you want to protect your batters. I was happy to go out there.”
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