Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) curator Matt Page has ruled out spinners having a major impact in the upcoming Boxing Day Test of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India. He confirmed that the pitch will feature an even grass covering, akin to recent Test matches played at the iconic venue.
The MCG, once notorious for producing flat, lifeless pitches that often led to dull draws, transformed the Boxing Day Test of the 2017 Ashes. That match saw only 24 wickets fall across three innings, with Alastair Cook compiling an unbeaten 244. In the aftermath, the MCG team revamped their approach to create more balanced and competitive pitches.
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“Spinners? It doesn’t really break up and spin here,” Matt Page stated. “If you look at our Test matches over the past four or five years, they’ve been more seam-friendly. That’s not going to change this time. After 2017, we decided to prioritize pitches that deliver thrilling contests. We experimented with grass levels, compaction, and moisture for about three years to achieve this balance. Now, our pitches give bowlers a chance at various stages while rewarding batters who apply themselves.”
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There’s a drizzle while MCG’s pitch curator gives an update on the pitch !! #BoxingDayTest #MSDhoni #PAKvSA #PAKvsSA #BCCI #SAvPAK #Melbourne #ChampionsTrophy2025
— Cricketism (@MidnightMusinng) December 23, 2024
Matt Page emphasized that the pitch would initially assist seamers with the new ball, but as it softens, it would become conducive for batting. “We leave a bit more grass on the pitches now. It’s around six millimeters, which we’ve been consistent with over the past couple of years. This approach has produced exciting matches, and we plan to stick with it,” he added.
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The curator’s comments suggest that the surface will largely favour seamers, with limited opportunities for spinners. In 2020, India defied the odds at the MCG, securing an eight-wicket win. The visitors relied on a balanced attack of three seamers and two spinners—Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin—who collectively took eight wickets across both innings.
As Australia and India prepare for the high-stakes Boxing Day Test, Page’s assurance of a fair contest promises a gripping encounter. The pitch’s evolution from flat tracks to lively surfaces has turned the MCG into a venue that consistently delivers compelling cricket.
