Australia vs India: MCG curator assures a sporting pitch for the third Test

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is all set to host the traditional Boxing Day Test between Australia and India starting from December 26. But more than the occasion, all the eyes are on the 22-yard strip on offer for the most important game of the series. Last year’s Ashes Test at the venue ended in a draw and even the ICC rated the pitch as ‘poor’ with the batsmen having fun on the pitch.

The MCG curator Matthew Page though is confident of unfurling a sporting pitch for the upcoming Test match. He also backed himself stating that the surface offered for the iconic Ashes Test had also received a positive response only for the last day to be ruined due to the rain.

“We were unlucky not to get a result through losing the last day through rain, but there seemed to be a bit there for everyone. There was a bit for the quicks, a couple of guys scored hundreds, and the feedback we got from that game was really positive,” Page said while speaking to cricket.com.au.

Doesn’t matter what rating you get

Moreover, Matthew Page wasn’t overly impressed with ICC’s rating as he insisted on trying his best to dish out the best wicket for the encounter. He also stressed that the last year’s rating doesn’t matter when we prepare for the next match and was keen on providing the teams with the best possible surface.

“It doesn’t matter what pitch you get the previous year and what rating you get. Every year you try and do the best possible job you can. Whether you succeeded the year before or (not), I think there’s still the same pressure there,” the curator added. The series is locked at 1-1 and the MCG Test will effectively be the series clincher as the winning team will not lose the four-match rubber then.

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