AFL vs Cricket: SCG drop-in pitch debate settled by MCG dramas

Melbourne’s woes will pay massive dividends for cricket fans at the SCG, with the recent pitch dramas at the MCG set to kill off plans to introduce a drop-in wicket in Sydney.

The Sydney Cricket Ground’s famous centre wicket will keep its tradition. Picture: AAP

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The all-powerful AFL are set for a rare defeat in the Stadium wars, with their bid for a drop-in cricket wicket at the SCG to be drop-kicked out of the arena.

Several sources have confirmed that the SCG committee appointed to consider the controversial proposal pushed by the AFL and the Sydney Swans have determined that cricket and tradition will remain for the foreseeable future.

As reported by The Daily Telegraph, SCG members have voiced their opposition to any move to dig up the 140-year-old centre-wicket, with Melbourne’s recent drop-in pitch debacle at the MCG perhaps the final nail in the coffin for the AFL-led bid.

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The Sydney Cricket Ground’s famous centre wicket will keep its tradition. Picture: AAP

However, the reality is, drop-in wickets at the SCG would not have been possible as it currently stands even if the Trust decided to risk a members’ revolt and commission them.

The physical dimensions of the SCG do not allow an entry point for the sizeable trays that transport drop-in wickets.

Until major changes are made to the infrastructure of the SCG – for example knocking down a grandstand – the plan is dead in the water.

However, it’s understood the SCG Trust may not formally announce a decision on the proposal, because there is scope that a drop-in could be considered in the future should the stadium structure change in the future.

In the winter months the SCG is home to the Sydney Swans. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The Swans have raised issues with the safety of the centre square, but the high level of traffic being experienced by the ground at the moment won’t continue indefinitely.

Once the new Allianz Stadium is built next door, the NRL, Super Rugby and soccer will leave, meaning the Swans will return to being the only regular football tenant.

However, one change the SCG Trust is behind is the prospect of pink ball Test cricket.

The SCG won’t chase day night games would be open to it if the revolution takes over.

However, CA chief executive Kevin Roberts raised a potential issue with a colour clash between the pink ball and the sea of pink in the crowd, which has become an institution thanks to Jane McGrath Day.

Roberts yesterday said he hopes winds will blow the hazardous smoke away from Sydney’s skies before the Sydney Test.

However, he declined to go into detail about whether CA was worried about the prospect of the New Year’s match being in doubt if smoke haze around the city does not ease.

Images from NSW’s Sheffield Shield match against Queensland last week were alarming with players admitting it was the worst conditions they have ever played in anywhere in the world.

Originally published as AFL vs Cricket: SCG drop-in pitch debate settled by MCG dramas