MCG’s head curator Matt Page has explained why India had their training session on used pitches while the hosts used fresh wickets ahead of the fourth Test, beginning on Boxing Day.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is headed towards an exciting finish, with the series poised at one-all after three games. The World Test Championship table is heating up as well, with both sides in the fray to make the final, scheduled in June next year.
After a short break following the draw at Brisbane, the Indian team held a training session on December 22 at Melbourne, while the hosts turned up a day later, on Monday (December 23).
Following Australia’s nets sessions, travelling Indian journalists shared images of the practice pitches being provided for the two teams - while India’s had low and uneven bounce, causing an injury to skipper Rohit Sharma, Australia were given fresh wickets, resembling the centre strip. It led to plenty of chatter on social media, but Page put an end to speculations, stating the standard procedure had been followed.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, he said: “So for us, three days out, we prepare pitches for here. If teams come and play before that, they get what pitches we've had.
“So today, we're on fresh pitches. If India had trained this morning, they would have been on those fresh pitches. Stock standard procedure for us, three days out, we do our pitches that we're going to have for our Test match.”
He also indicated how the track would fare: “Seven years ago, we were quite flat, we want to create exciting a contest and exciting Test matches, so we will leave more grass, that brings the bowlers into the equation. But it is still good for batting once the new ball goes off. We keep 6mm of grass and we will monitor that as we get in.
“All quick bowlers get excited when they come here now although it is not as quick as Perth and Brisbane but we have managed to get some pace on it.”
He also confirmed that the wicket is unlikely to aid the spinners. “Doesn't really break for spinners here and if you see long-format games over the last four to five years, you will see, it has been more seam-friendly than spin.”
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