Sheffield Shield game abandoned after dangerous MCG pitch deemed unsafe

Less than three weeks away from the famous Boxing Day Test, real concern has landed at the MCG with the pitch wreaking havoc.

Play has been abandoned in a dramatic Sheffield Shield clash at the MCG because of dangerous pitch conditions.

Western Australian batsmen Shaun Marsh, Cameron Green and Marcus Stoinis were all hit by deliveries from Victoria’s quicks, which rose sharply and unexpectedly on a lively day-one deck.

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Match officials called a halt to play 45 minutes into the second session when a fierce Andrew Fekete delivery fired into Stoinis’ ribs.

WA were 3-89 when play was stopped, with Peter Siddle (3-21) doing most of the damage.

“When I went down this morning you could move the surface,” Bryce McGain said on commentary.

“There might be some divots created and sometimes when it hits a divot (it bounces). That (wicket) is hardening up now.

“I think we might have a bit of a break.”

BREAKING: Pitch deemed unsafe at the MCG with unpredictable bounce. Players leaving the field. Marsh and Stoinis both hit multiple times. @abcgrandstand pic.twitter.com/jOoNIJZYuS

— Alister Nicholson (@AlisterNicho) December 7, 2019

Siddle rattled both Marsh and Stoinis with nasty rising deliveries that crashed into their helmets during fearsome spells either side of the lunch break. Both batsmen were assessed by medical staff before carrying on.

Fair to say there was a bit happening in the first session, including this ball which spat up at Marsh from Siddle 😮 #VICvWA #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/1F84jagdbd

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) December 7, 2019

Earlier, inexperienced opener Jake Carder (44) survived the opening session to steer WA to 1-77 at lunch before falling victim to Siddle in the second over after the break.

After watering and rolling the pitch a follow up inspection was undertaken by the officials who declared play would be abandoned.

Curators will work on the pitch over night in the hope of play getting back underway tomorrow morning at 10am.

There was still hesitation from players from both teams that the MCG pitch was still dangerous. The hope is play will resume tomorrow at 10am (30 minutes early) following more work on the pitch today and tomorrow. It will be inspected again in the morning. #SheffieldShield

— Adam White (@White_Adam) December 7, 2019

The situation presents a real concern for MCG management less than three weeks out from the Boxing Day Test.

Cricket Australia head of cricket operations Peter Roach said the pitch being used in the Shield match was not the one being prepared for the Australia-New Zealand Test.

However, Roach conceded there was work to be done to ensure a safe playing surface on a MCG pitch which, in recent years, had been scrutinised heavily. It was rated “poor” by the ICC after the Boxing Day Test in 2017 and scraped through with an “average” ranking after England’s Ashes visit last summer.

“(Head curator) Matt Page and the MCG ground staff 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,” Roach said.

“We will seek to better understand the issues that resulted in variable bounce at the MCG on Saturday.

“We will also work closely with MCG ground staff in the lead-up to the Test match.”

NZ opener Tom Latham wasn’t concerned when he heard the news about the pitch after touching down on Saturday in Perth.

“I’m sure by the time the Boxing Day Test comes around, they’ll have everything sorted,” Latham said.

“From our point of view, there’s no concern.”

With AAP

Originally published as Sheffield Shield game abandoned after dangerous MCG pitch deemed unsafe