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Steve Smith Predicts Seamer-Friendly MCG Pitch for Boxing Day Ashes Test

Stand-in captain Steve Smith has declared the Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch will offer significant assistance to fast bowlers ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Australia has named a 12-man squad featuring an all-pace attack, omitting off-spinner Todd Murphy. Smith explained the decision, stating that even if the injured Nathan Lyon were available, playing a spinner on this surface would be a topic of debate. With Pat Cummins rested, Australia leads the Ashes series 3-0 and will finalize its XI from its seam-bowling options on the morning of the match.

Key Points: Smith on MCG Pitch: "Going to Offer Quite a Bit" for Seamers

  • All-pace attack named
  • Pitch & weather aid seamers
  • Nathan Lyon's absence discussed
  • Australia leads series 3-0
3 min read

"It's going to offer quite a bit": Steve Smith on MCG pitch ahead of Boxing Day Test against England

Australia's stand-in captain Steve Smith says the MCG pitch will offer significant movement for fast bowlers in the Boxing Day Test, as Australia names an all-pace attack.

"I dare say it's going to offer quite a bit... there's going to be quite a bit of movement in that surface. - Steve Smith"

Melbourne, December 25

Ahead of the fourth Ashes Test against England, Australia's stand-in captain has opened up about the Melbourne Cricket Ground surface, saying that the pitch will offer a lot to the fast bowlers.

Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, starting on December 26, the Baggry Green have named their playing XI, opting for an all-pace attack. Stand-in captain Smith has returned to the side after missing the third Adelaide Test in place of regular captain Pat Cummins.

The hosts will wait until the morning of the game to make the final call on the composition of quicks. Apart from Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, Australia has to choose between Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett.

Off-spinner Todd Murphy was omitted from the trimmed-down 12-man squad named by Smith. This means for the second time in the Ashes series, Australia won't have a specialist spinner in the playing XI.

"I dare say it's going to offer quite a bit. Particularly, I think tomorrow's similar conditions to today, quite cold and overcast. I dare say there's going to be quite a bit of movement in that surface," Smith said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

The stand-in captain of Australia said that even if veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who injured his hamstring in Adelaide, were available for selection for the fourth Test, there would still have been a discussion about not playing a spinner.

"I think a lot of the wickets we're playing on at present are certainly more seam-friendly than spin-friendly. Last week [in Adelaide] was an anomaly. We saw some rough and we saw Nathan come in to play big-time last week. It's a tricky one. You've just got to play what surface you're presented with," he said

"This one out here looks like it's going to offer a fair bit of assistance for the seam bowlers. The weather throughout the week looks conducive for that, too. I think if Nathan was here, we'd probably still be having the same conversation as well. It's certainly nothing to do with Todd's skill. We know he's a quality bowler. He's played some games for Australia and done really well. It's great to see him here this week. I'm sure he's going to be a pretty good chance to play next week in Sydney," Smith added.

Cummins has been rested for the Melbourne Test, having only recently returned from a back injury, with the skipper a chance of appearing in the final Test of the series in Sydney from January 4.

Australia registered an 82-run triumph, taking an unassailable 3-0 lead in the ongoing Ashes series against England.

Australia XII for fourth Test: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (captain), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see no spinner in the XII. Smith's explanation makes sense—play to the conditions. But it's a bit risky, no? If the sun comes out and the pitch flattens, England's batters could cash in. Leach or Root might get some purchase if there's any footmarks. Bold call from the Aussies.
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Arjun K
England's batting lineup is already struggling. On a green top at the MCG with Starc and Boland? This could be over in 3 days. Feel for the English fans who've travelled. At least the Boxing Day crowd will get some exciting fast bowling! 🏏
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Priya S
Smith is a clever captain. By talking up the pitch, he's already playing mind games with the English batters. They'll be thinking about that movement even before a ball is bowled. Tactical genius, even if he's just stating the obvious.
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Vikram M
Respectfully, while I understand the conditions, dropping the spinner entirely feels like an overcorrection. Cricket is about balance. What if a partnership develops and you need to change the rhythm? A part-time spinner like Head or Smith is not the same. Hope this gamble pays off for them.
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Karthik V
Good to see Smith back and leading. His reading of the game is top class. But the real story is Scott Boland getting another chance at his home ground! The man is a legend at the G. Can't wait to see him bowl. England, beware!

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