Sheffield Shield match abandoned over safety concerns weeks out from Boxing Day Test

The dangerous MCG pitch has forced officials to abandon the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia, three weeks out from the Boxing Day Test.

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Fears over the Boxing Day Test have been laid bare after the minefield MCG pitch was deemed unplayable this morning.

Western Australian batsmen Shaun Marsh and Marcus Stoinis underwent concussion tests after day one of the Sheffield Shield match with Victoria was abandoned in the 40th over.

Following a pitch inspection this morning, the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia has been abandoned. #SheffieldShield

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

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Officials had hoped to start day two at 10am this morning, but were left with the same concerns after a pitch inspection revealed little improvement.

The call comes just 18 days before this year’s blockbuster against New Zealand.

Dangerous Melbourne Pitch!!

Some blows taken by WA Batsmen 😬#SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/RQ1oGEaXbs

— Mubin (@_Mubean__) December 7, 2019

Several WA players were struck on the body due to the unpredictable bounce of the MCG pitch. Pic: AAP

The Herald Sun understands that captain Marsh and WA coach Adam Voges yesterday stormed up to match referee Bob Parry wanting the game called off.

But before they spoke to Parry his decision became straightforward as Stoinis was struck for the second time in as many overs, copping balls to the ribs and the grill.

“We’ve got a couple of guys who have had to do concussions tests today and a couple of sore fingers and some sore ribs as well,” Voges said.

Marsh, who lost the toss and was sent in to bat, was hit four of five times as deliveries zoomed off a good length and became unplayable.

Well, they did tell the curator to give the #MCGPitch some life 🤷🏼‍♂️ #VICvWA #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/90jIrQhcr7

— Odds.com.au (@OddsComAu) December 7, 2019

“It’s about player safety,” Voges said.

“We won’t put our players on a wicket that we feel is not safe.”

Cricket Australia on Saturday night said it was “disappointed” that play was abandoned, but pledged to work with MCG curator Matt Page to get a strip right for Boxing Day.

CA head of operations Peter Roach said: “We will seek to better understand the issues that resulted in variable bounce at the MCG. We will also work closely with MCG groundstaff in the lead up to the Test match”.

MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said: “While it’s unfortunate that play was suspended today, the previous two Sheffield Shield matches this summer have been held without incident.

Players and umpires chat about the pitch before going off the ground. Pic: AAP

“Our broader plan is to continually make improvements to the wickets to allow for pace, bounce and lateral movement and we’re confident about our preparations leading into the upcoming Boxing Day Test.”

It’s understood more moisture was left in Saturday’s pitch. The strip used for the Sheffield Shield clash is not the one slated for Boxing Day.

MCG pitches have been lifeless for several years now, with Page brought over from the WACA Ground to help fix what was becoming an embarrassing problem.

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

WA and Victoria both sympathised with Page because he is under immense pressure to deliver a pitch capable of producing a result for New Zealand’s first Boxing Day Test since 1987.

What appears to be an overcorrection saw a road transformed into a minefield.

It is understood the extra moisture led to several divots, which baked under the sun and became dangerous

WA was 3-89 after 39.4 overs when play was suspended, giving Page a chance to roll the pitch.

The MCG pitch that was deemed unfit for play.

Usually the pitch cannot be rolled unless it’s the change of innings or the start of a new day in first-class cricket.

But Victoria was so concerned about the safety of its opponents that it was happy for Page to spend time on the roller in the hope the game could go on.

An inspection at 4pm determined that day one would be abandoned and, while play was rescheduled for 10am on Sunday, Marsh and Voges had both expected the match to be called off.

The Herald Sun understands that captains and coaches from both teams, as well as the umpires, the match referee and the curator, locked themselves in the bowels of the MCG for a 25-minute meeting to discuss the state of the match.

The MCG copped a “poor” pitch rating after a boring Ashes draw in 2017. Last year it was rated “average”.

“It’s the MCG mate, it doesn’t deteriorate,” Victorian captain Peter Handscomb said last week.

“It hasn’t deteriorated for 10 years.”

The teams discussed rescheduling the match however with Big Bash due to start there isn’t an obvious window in the schedule.