‘We aim to give bowlers’ – MCG curator makes huge statement on likely playing surface for 4th Test

Cricket fans across the world are waiting for the 4th Test match to begin on Thursday. The Boxing Day Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set to be a sold out affair. Both sides will be playing with a view to win the game and secure their place in the top two of the WTC table. 

Matt Page addressed the media before the beginning of the game and gave an insight about the likely pitch for the upcoming game. The focus will be on the pitch for the game after the past three surfaces have seen the bowlers hold their sway. Indian batters barring KL Rahul have struggled to score runs against Australia. 

Speaking to the media, Matt Page said, “We aim to give bowlers opportunities at various points in the game while also giving batters a chance if they play well. So we experimented with our grass levels, compaction, and moisture, which took about three years to fine-tune. Over the last two or three years, we’ve been consistent in what we’ve rolled out, leaving a bit more grass on the pitches than we used to. It’s provided thrilling contests, and that’s what we want to do." 

Matt Page reveals if pitch will aid spin or pace?

When asked if the pitch will aid spinners or pacer more? Matt Page said to the media, “Spinners? Oh, it doesn’t really break up and spin here.If you look at our long-format games over the last four or five years, they’ve been more seam-friendly than spin-friendly.”

“So I don’t see that changing here. We haven’t altered our pitches because of the balls. Basically, as I said, we sat down seven years ago after 2017 and discussed where we wanted to go as an organization and what we wanted to be renowned for producing Test matches that provide a thrilling contest," Matt Page went onto say to the media. 

Team India have been practicing hard in the nets to get ready for the Test match starting on Thursday. According to reports, the surfaces laid out for practice has been low and slow. Many are wondering if this is a ploy by the hosts to unsettle the visitors before the start of the massive game in Melbourne.