MCG curator shares insights about pitch for second Pakistan Test

Pakistan is gearing up for a challenging test with the bat as they prepare to face Australia's formidable bowling attack in the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) scheduled from December 26 to 30. 

The MCG has witnessed seamers claiming a significant portion of wickets in the two Shield matches this season, where 67 out of 76 wickets fell to the pace bowlers. Moreover, only one instance of a team crossing the 300-run mark has occurred in eight innings.

MCG head curator Matt Page expressed his desire to replicate the pace, bounce, and seam movement seen in the Shield pitches.

“If we can get the pace and bounce like we’ve had in the Shield pitches, we’ll be very happy,” Page told WAtoday.

“We sat down … and we decided like this is what we want to produce, this is where we want to go, and it was having more life, trying to get more pace and bounce, and I’m trying to get a little bit more seam movement,” he added.

Page also emphasized the commitment to delivering an engaging contest, acknowledging the expectations of the spectators who invest their hard-earned money to witness the Boxing Day Test.

“The people pay their hard-earned money to come in here on Boxing Day and people are turning on the TV and they want to see excitement,” he said.

“And that’s what I guess what we’re trying to do every year. We don’t always get it right but we’re always striving to produce that contest,” he concluded.