Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: MCG Curator Rules Out Spinners in Upcoming Boxing Day Test, Predicts Seam-Friendly Conditions
MCG curator Matt Page confirmed that the Boxing Day Test pitch between Australia and India will remain seam-friendly, with little to no assistance for spinners. He emphasized that the pitch will maintain its consistency with recent years, offering challenges for both batters and seamers, but not favoring spin.
Melbourne Cricket Ground curator Matt Page has dismissed any expectations of spinners playing a major role in the 2024-25 Boxing Day Test between Australia and India. In a recent interview, Page confirmed that the pitch would closely resemble those used in recent Test matches, featuring an even grass covering that will aid seamers more than spinners. He said:
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… producing Test matches that provide a thrilling contest.
Over the past few years, the MCG has moved away from its reputation for producing flat pitches, which often led to lifeless draws. The shift started after the 2017 Ashes, where the pitch provided a balanced contest despite a long batting display by Alastair Cook. Since then, the pitch has been designed to encourage exciting contests by maintaining more grass and moisture levels.
Page explained that while seamers will get value for the new ball, batters will have a fair chance once the ball softens. He added:
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… leaving a bit more grass on the pitches… provided thrilling contests, and that’s what we want to do.
The last Test at MCG in 2020 saw India’s seam-heavy attack thrive, with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin contributing with the ball. However, this year’s pitch will continue to favor seamers, with spin taking a backseat.
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