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Steve Smith's 2mm Pitch Verdict: The Fine Line Between Fair & Two-Day Tests

Stand-in captain Steve Smith suggested the heavily criticized MCG pitch, which saw a two-day Test finish, might have been acceptable with just 2mm less grass. He acknowledged the surface offered bowlers too much, resulting in 36 wickets falling in 142 overs. Smith contrasted this with past MCG wickets that were overly flat, noting the ground has generally improved in providing a better contest. Teammate Mitchell Starc agreed, stating nobody wants two-day Tests, highlighting the fine line groundsmen must walk in pitch preparation.

Key Points: Smith on MCG Pitch: 2mm Shorter Grass Could Have Changed Test

  • 36 wickets fell in two days
  • Smith suggests 2mm less grass was key
  • MCG historically criticized for flat pitches
  • Starc: "Nobody wants to see two-day Tests"
3 min read

Had it been 2mm shorter, it might have been alright: Smith gives his take on under-fire MCG pitch

Steve Smith says a 2mm grass trim might have saved the 2-day MCG Test. Read his take on the pitch, England's win, and the balance between bat and ball.

"Had it been either 2mm shorter... it might have been alright. - Steve Smith"

Melbourne, Dec 28

Australia stand-in skipper Steve Smith gave his take on the MCG wicket after the Boxing Day Test lasted just two days, with England winning by four wickets. He said that had the 10mm grass been 2mm shorter, it might have made a difference in the match.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch came under the scanner after the Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England finished in two days. As many as 36 wickets fell in 142 overs. It lasted for 952 balls, just five more than the series opener in Perth.

"It obviously offered a lot, 36 wickets in two days, it offered plenty. Had it been either 2mm shorter or a little less thatchy with 10mm, it might have been alright, but I'm not a groundsman, so it's hard to judge. But it did look like it was going to offer a fair amount, probably a little more than I thought it would. I think the groundsman is always learning, but he's produced some pretty good wickets in the last two years," Smith told SEN Cricket.

The MCG has previously been criticised for producing flat wickets that favoured batting, most notably during the 2017 Ashes Test, when only 24 wickets fell over five days. That surface drew widespread criticism, prompting match referee Ranjan Madugalle to issue a "poor" rating in his official assessment report.

"I think when I started, we didn't have too many wickets like this, when I started, the MCG used to be run tickets, but that's changed a bit over the last four or five years. It's probably changed more into a better cricket wicket where bat and ball are competing against each other. The game's changed in terms of the aggression batters use... if 10 years ago you saw Harry Brook come out and bat like that, you'd think, 'What's going on?!'.

"Brook was the top run scorer for England, and even Travis Head for us in the second innings, it was probably one of those wickets where you had to go a little harder," he added.

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc echoed Smith's comments, saying, 'Nobody wants to see two-day Test matches.'

"I guess you saw it start to play a bit truer in the back end of yesterday. Would a couple of mm off change the game much? Or was it application? Or even just two good attacks?

"You probably don't want to see two-day Test matches, so they probably got it (the grass on the pitch) slightly too high. We saw last week in Adelaide, it was pretty flat and didn't do a lot unless the ball was hard and new.

"Batters got that one last week, and bowlers got one in their favour probably a bit too much this week. I saw last year it was 6 or 7mm, arguably if you make it 8mm, it's probably a pretty good surface. It's one to not dwell too much on and move on pretty quick," said Starc.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting technical point about the grass length. It shows how fine the margins are in preparing a Test wicket. But Starc is right, nobody wants to see a match finish so quickly. The spectacle suffers.
A
Ananya R
As an Indian cricket fan, I have to say... we've seen some questionable pitches here too! 😅 Remember the Ahmedabad Test against England? But 36 wickets in 2 days is extreme. The MCG should aim for balance. A good wicket produces a good match.
V
Vikram M
Smith's comment about batters' aggression changing the game is key. Players like Pant and Brook are redefining Test batting. Maybe on such a wicket, that ultra-attacking mindset is the only way to survive? Fascinating stuff.
K
Karthik V
Honestly, after the dead flat track in 2017, they've overcorrected. It's like our roads - either full of potholes or freshly laid and perfect for a month. Need consistent, reliable pitches worldwide for the health of Test cricket. 🏏
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I think the focus on 2mm of grass is letting the batters off the hook a bit. Yes, the pitch was tough, but great players adapt. Where was the application Smith mentions? Top order from both sides failed.

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