India vs Australia: Perth Curator Dismisses Concerns of Snake Cracks Despite Heavy Rains
In the lead-up to the first Test between India and Australia in Perth, curator Issac McDonald dismissed concerns about "snake cracks" forming on the pitch due to heavy rains. While the weather has affected the pitch's dryness, McDonald believes it will offer good competition between bat and ball, with some deterioration expected but no major cracks that would trouble the batters.
With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy First Test just a few hours away, fans are eagerly awaiting the pitch conditions at Perth Stadium. Known for its fast, bouncy nature, Perth’s pitches have often been a challenge for batters.
The old WACA ground, famous for its pace, has been replaced by Optus Stadium, which has maintained similar characteristics. Typically, in dry conditions, the pitch develops “snake cracks” that provide extra bounce and offer assistance to spinners. The Curator said:
It’s been quite conditions-based. At the moment, we’re leaning towards rolling it a bit more on top to get that firmness and that happy medium between bat and ball. [It] would be nice if the sun pops out, but we’re really comfortable as a curating team.
However, due to the heavy rains in the lead-up to the Test, the pitch has been under cover for an extended period. Head curator Issac McDonald has assured that despite some expected deterioration, he doesn’t foresee the formation of big snake cracks. The curating team is focused on achieving a balance between bat and ball, hoping for variable bounce during the match. McDonald believes that while the pitch will not fall apart, it will still offer a competitive contest.
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