Beginning on December 26, the renowned Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will host the pivotal fourth Test of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25). Interestingly, the next Test will be a “Boxing Day” event, and everyone will be watching the pitch, the weather and how it could affect the series’ result.
The head curator of MCG, Matt Page, stated before of the eagerly anticipated match that Team India’s top bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was anticipated to appreciate the conditions available. Following India’s spectacular 295-run victory in Perth and their 10-wicket loss in the pink ball match in Adelaide, the series is currently knotted at one. Due to rain, the third Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane finished in a tie. The Baggy Greens want to regain their supremacy as the visitors aim for a historic third straight series victory in Australia.
Pitch preparation at the MCG has changed recently, with a focus on providing more bounce and pace.
By stating that the pitch might not match the pure speed of Perth or Brisbane, but it will give pace bowlers enough life to help them, Page alluded to the fun for bowlers like Bumrah. Day One temperatures are predicted to reach 40 degrees, which Page thinks could accelerate the wicket’s pace even more.
“Now when they come here, all of the top bowlers become pumped. For us, it works well. Although we’ll never be as fast as places like Perth and Brisbane, we’ve been able to add some speed in recent years, which has generated some excitement.
It has a little grass on it. You most likely get excited when you see it if you’re a quick bowler. It most likely indicates that it might accelerate slightly more quickly than it would if the temperature were 20 degrees. At this point, I’m unable to say whether we should leave a little more moisture in it. We’ll continue to watch the weather… and modify our plans as necessary. The WA Today reported Page as saying, “It’s a rinse-and-repeat job for us because we’ve been really happy with the last couple of years.”
This test is important for India. Bumrah will be the side’s main weapon for this test because of his precision and versatility. The fast bowler, who has previously excelled in the series, will try to upend the Australian batting order by taking full advantage of the MCG surface.
India would have been on those new pitches if they had practiced this morning: Page
A practice pitch controversy engulfed MCG pitch curator Matt Page prior to the fourth Test. According to some Indian media sources, the Australian board was biassed in favour of Team India when it came to the type of pitches utilised for the practice sessions. But he also clarified the situation after announcing the potential playing conditions to welcome both teams on boxing day.
In defence, Page claimed that the practice pitches were distributed in accordance with the accepted procedures. He also mentioned that the venue’s Test match pitches are often prepared three days in advance. Therefore, any visiting team that practices on the net beforehand typically has access to the existing pitches for practice. That being said, Team India would have undoubtedly received a new pitch if they had chosen to practise this morning.
“We prepare Test match grounds here three days out. Teams who arrive and practise before then receive the pitches we’ve got. We’re on new fields today. India would have been using the new fields if they had practiced this morning. Three days out is usual protocol for us,” Page said.
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