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.
Source: VANGUARD