Image: Issac McDonald has dismissed concerns about snake cracks / © India Today
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The old WACA ground, famous for its pace, has been replaced by Optus Stadium, which has maintained similar characteristics.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.