Steve Smith throws his sizeable support behind the under-siege SCG pitch

Australian superstar Steve Smith hopes the latest pitch debacle at the SCG doesn’t aid the argument of those pushing for a drop-in wicket at the historic ground.

Steve Smith failed to make an impact in his Shield return. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

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Steve Smith has voiced his opposition to the push for a drop-in pitch at the SCG, as Australia’s best cricketer defended the ground over the Sydney Roosters centre-square fiasco.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that NSW must also shift next Tuesday’s one-dayer against Tasmania from the SCG to Drummoyne Oval, having already been forced into an 11th hour move of Friday’s Sheffield Shield game against the Tigers due to the unsuitability of the surface.

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Steve Smith failed to make an impact in his Shield return. Picture: AAP Image/Albert Perez

NSW are fuming over the SCG’s inability to deliver on the agreed schedule, after allowing the Roosters to train on the ground in the lead-up to the NRL grand final.

Most intriguing is the context of the controversy taking place with debate still raging behind the scenes over how the SCG Trust will respond to an AFL and Sydney Swans-led push for the famous ground to dig up its traditional wicket and move to introduce multi-purpose drop-in technology.

It’s felt a drop-in would better allow the SCG to transfer between winter and summer seasons, but there are fears over the cultural and historical impact if tradition were abandoned for the sake of one football team, the Swans.

The Daily Telegraph understands the SCG Trust will likely settle on a position where the status quo is endorsed for now, but with a door left ajar should technology and facilities open up different possibilities in the future.

Smith was sympathetic to the SCG’s current predicament but hopes a drop-in is not seen as the answer.

“I like the SCG the way it is,” declared Smith.

“We always love playing at the SCG as a NSW side so of course it’s a shame (this week’s game has been moved), but I can understand the reasons.

“Obviously the Roosters had a very good campaign which was magnificent and they had a semi-final at the SCG, so it’s a pretty quick turnaround getting it ready from footy to cricket.”

Steve Smith with Baulkham Hills High students. Picture: Brett Costello

NSW spinner Steve O’Keefe – who returns to the Blues line-up to face Tasmania on Friday alongside fellow Test stars Nathan Lyon and Kurtis Patterson – told The Daily Telegraph he regrettably feels the SCG will almost inevitably switch to a drop-in.

“I would love to obviously see it stay that way. But I just think business speaks. Eventually it probably will end up being a drop in so they can maximise the use of the space with concerts or more games and what not,” said O’Keefe.

“I think it’ll be a sad day when that does happen but I think it will eventually happen. I think it’s a matter of when not if.”

Originally published as Steve Smith throws his sizeable support behind the under-siege SCG pitch