Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is all set to host the fourth Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024 test between India and Australia from December 26. However, controversy has erupted after the net pitches offered to the Indian team have been slow and low, which is in sharp contrast to surfaces so far in the series.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma and bowler Akash Deep copped some blows in the knee and arm, respectively during the practice session. Although, Akash didn’t feel there were major concerns to them, he stated that the net pitches were more suited for the white-ball.
In this regard, Melbourne curator Matt Page has come in defense of the surfaces and offered an explanation on why the nature of the surfaces have been different. He stated that standard protocol has been followed, meaning that the test-quality practice wickets will become available for both teams from Monday onwards, which will mark three days to the Boxing Day test.
“For us, three days out, we prepare Test match pitches for here. If teams come and train before that, they get what pitches we have had,” Page said on Monday.
Further, Page assured that the pitch will excite the fast bowlers during the test match, due to its green top and good amount of pace and bounce.
“I think all the quick bowlers get excited when they come here now. It gets through well for us. We are never going to be as quick as Perth or Brisbane, but over the last few years we have managed to get some pace into it, which has created that excitement.”
“There is a bit of grass on it. If you are a fast bowler, and you look it at, yeah, you probably do get excited,” he added.
Although, India did not indulge in practice sessions on Monday, Australia had an optional afternoon session on fresh pitches.
Sam Konstas ready for Jasprit Bumrah challenge in Melbourne
The young right-handed batter, Sam Konstas received his maiden national call-up for the remaining two tests of the BGT 2024-25. He is set to partner up with Usman Khawaja in Melbourne and will face the challenge of the Indian bowling unit, led by Jasprit Bumrah.
Bumrah has been the finest bowler in the series with 21 wickets at an average of 10.9 and will be looking to continue his impressive performance in Melbourne as well. However, Konstas feels confident of overcoming the challenge of Bumrah and putting pressure back on the Indian bowlers.
“I have my plans against Bumrah, but of course I am not going to say what it is. I am generally going to put pressure back on the bowler. Jasprit Bumrah is the best in the world but they are all good bowlers,” Sam Konstas said in the press conference on Monday.
Konstas’s induction to the team comes on the back of his impressive form in domestic cricket and also displaying his hitting prowess in the Big Bash League. While playing for PM-XI, he also hit a hundred against India on December 1, however, he didn’t face Bumrah in the game.
FAQs
What is the first-class record of Sam Konstas?
718 runs in 18 innings @42.23
How has Indian test team fared historically in Melbourne?
4 wins in 14 games
