Slow Marvel Stadium outfield under fire after low scores in Renegades v Strikers

Marvel Stadium officials have explained how they will improve a surface blasted as an ‘embarassment’ by fans after season-low scores in Sunday night’s BBL encounter.

Marcus Harris of the Renegades hits past Cameron White of the Strikers at Marvel Stadium.

Marvel Stadium is determined to remedy its slow outfield.

It is understood that Cricket Australia today held talks with stadium officials in an effort to address the unusually paceless outfield that was lashed by fans during Sunday night’s clash between the Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers.

It was labelled a “paddock” and an “embarrassment” on social media while Renegades coach Michael Klinger conceded it could do with being quicker.

It was the first BBL09 match at Marvel Stadium this summer, with fixturing deliberately delayed to allow enough time to prepare the ground appropriately.

The wicket that was produced for the Sunday night match was considered to be one of the best ever delivered at the stadium, but the outfield proved incredibly slow with a number of balls stopping dead in their tracks as they headed towards the boundary.

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Marcus Harris of the Renegades hits past Cameron White of the Strikers.

The ground will be cut and rolled again before Thursday night’s match between the Renegades and the Sydney Sixers, with the process to be repeated again before the Melbourne Derby on January 10.

Sunday night saw both teams produce their lowest score of BBL09 and the Renegades hit just six fours for the night — their lowest tally for the season.

Marvel stadium outfield .... like a cow Paddock, ball literally stops

— 💧Kylie Mumby (@kylsm5) December 29, 2019

Someone forgot to mow the lawn at Marvel Stadium #BBL09

— James T-Wakefield (@JamesToffoliW) December 29, 2019

Finch smashes one to the outfield where the ball is lost in the Marvel scrub. #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/0iWUWk9KZE

— Paco 🦏 (@melbokiwi) December 29, 2019

Klinger acknowledged concerts and other events at the ground — including RMIT University’s graduation ceremony on December 18 — impacted the surface, but he said the outfield could definitely benefit from some speed.

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“In previous years when we’ve played here it hasn’t been this slow and obviously when I played for the Scorchers, it hasn’t been this low — there’s been higher scoring,” he said.

“It would be nice if it could be a bit quicker, but at the end of the day it’s the same for both teams, so it doesn’t cause a difference in the game.

“But it’s obviously a better spectacle if the outfield’s a bit quicker.”

The Marvel Stadium outfield has come under fire.

Originally published as Slow Marvel Stadium outfield under fire after low scores in Renegades v Strikers