ZCZC
BSP-08
CRICKET-AUS-MCG-PITCH
Play abandoned due to dangerous MCG pitch
MELBOURNE, Dec 7, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Play was abandoned Saturday during a
domestic game due to a dangerous pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, just
weeks before it is due to host the traditional Boxing Day Test.
A decision to call off play was made on day one of the Sheffield Shield
clash between Victoria and Western Australia after several batsmen were hit
by rising deliveries.
It followed talks between the umpires and captains Peter Handscomb and
Shaun Marsh.
Marsh was among those to be battered multiple times by balls from fast
bowlers that rose sharply and unexpectedly on the lively pitch.
One that caught Marcus Stoinis in the ribs proved the final straw.
The match is the last one at the MCG before the second Test between
Australia and New Zealand on December 26, giving cricket officials plenty to
think about.
Cricket Australia said it would work closely with MCG staff to ensure the
best possible track is prepared for Boxing Day.
“We’re very disappointed at today’s play being abandoned,” said CA’s head
of cricket operations Peter Roach, while noting that two previous Shield
matches had been played at the MCG this season without incident.
“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.”
In recent times the pitch has been criticised for being lifeless.
After the Boxing Day Test against England in 2017, the International
Cricket Council rated it “poor” for offering little for the bowlers.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1318 hrs