MCG Boxing Day pitch receives ’very good’ rating from ICC

The MCG pitch was under immense pressure going into the Boxing Day Test. The ICC had rated the MCG deck as ‘average’ and ‘poor’ the previous two years - what was their verdict this time?

The MCG pitch has come under fire in recent years. Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

The MCG’s Boxing Day pitch has received full marks from the ICC in another sign the iconic Test match is certain to remain in Melbourne.

The official stamp of approval franks the wild experiment curator Matthew Page was told to conduct that resulted in a Sheffield Shield match being abandoned due to a dangerous pitch last month.

That juiced-up deck delivered Page a benchmark for how far he could push the limits and ground staff duly scaled back the Test pitch.

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The MCG’s Boxing Day pitch has received full marks from the ICC. Picture: (AAP Image/Scott Barbour

While pitch ratings are usually released only at the completion of a series, the widespread interest in the MCG meant it was fast-tracked.

The Herald Sun has confirmed that the ICC rated the Boxing Day pitch ‘Very good’ – which is the highest of the six ratings.

The five below are; ‘Good’, ‘Average’, ‘Below average’, ‘Poor’ and ‘Unfit’.

In 2018 the MCG received an ‘Average’ rating for the Test match against India while in 2017 it received a ‘Poor’ rating for the boring Ashes draw against England.

Since then the MCC has embarked on a five-year project that has already seen the concrete slab under the surface removed. Pitches are now stored on a natural base.

A full renovation of the Yarra park wicket nursery, where the pitches live, is about 50 per cent complete while a different type of clay is also being trialled.

The ICC’s tick of approval follows glowing endorsements from players.

Spinner Nathan Lyon – a veteran of nine Boxing Day Tests – said that last week’s wicket was the best MCG Test pitch he had ever played on.

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“The arenas team has always had our full confidence in producing a great Test pitch and we’re pleased we’ve been able to deliver that this year with a top rating from the ICC,” MCC chief executive Stuart Fox said.

The MCG pitch that forced a Sheffield Shield match to be abandoned. Picture: AAP Image/Sean Garnsworthy

“All credit goes to Michael Salvatore, Matt Page and the whole team who have done a magnificent job under significant pressure. We’re so proud of their efforts.

“Hopefully cricket fans understand we’ve been pushing the boundaries to find improvements in the MCG pitches and, while we’re still on a journey, we will continue to look for ways to ensure our wickets always have the characteristics of pace, bounce and lateral movement to allow something for both bat and ball.”

While the contract for the MCG to host the Boxing Day Test has expired, both Cricket Australia and the MCC say talks are progressing well.

That next contract is likely to run for the next three or four years. The next two Boxing Day Tests will see India (2020) and England (2021) return.

Originally published as MCG Boxing Day pitch receives ’very good’ rating from ICC