 "MCG Test: Controversy erupts as India given used practice pitches in Melbourne, Australia offered fresh ones")
Several controversies have erupted ahead of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and there seems to be no end to those controversies. The latest one is that of the difference between the practice pitches which were given to both Australia and India.
The pictures of these two pitches went viral on social media and became a talking point among fans. While Australia were offered fresh pitches, India were seemingly given used pitches for practice. According to a report in Dainik Jagran, India were given four practice pitches for training in Melbourne but there was low bounce on offer for the pacers.
Significant difference between the practice pitches both teams have got in preparation for the Boxing Day Test.#bgt pic.twitter.com/MYyMKZpEGi
— Sandipan Banerjee (@im_sandipan) December 23, 2024
This meant that even the short-pitched balls only bounced up to the batter’s waist. Having said that, India skipper Rohit Sharma was hit on the left knee on Sunday after he faced a short ball from a throwdown specialist. He was then treated by the physio and applied ice pack on his knee. Pacer Akash Deep said that there was nothing to be worried about as far as Rohit is concerned.
“I think this wicket was for white ball which is why the ball kept low at times. But these blows are common in training. There are no major concerns because of that,” Akash told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMCG curator clarifies the practice pitch issue
Matt Page, the MCG curator, clarified on the issue, saying that fresh practice pitches are only given three days prior to the start of a match. “We got the schedule of the Indian team well ahead. But we usually give match-centric wickets only three days before the match. It’s applicable for all teams,” Page said.
Australian players trained at the nets on Monday with fresh pitches being used. India, however, opted to skip Monday’s training session, but the visitors will be offered new surfaces to practice whenever they train next.
The five-match Border-Gavaskar Test series is currently level 1-1 after three Tests. India
won the first Test in Perth by 295 runs , whereas
Australia clinched the second Test by 10 wickets .
The third Test in Brisbane ended in a draw amid frequent rain interruptions. The fourth Test in Melbourne that starts on 26 December, will be followed by the fifth and final Test in Sydney from 3 January next year.
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