Ex Austrlian cricketer Andrew McDonald defends MCG curator Matt Page, warns against pitch preparation interference
Australia coach Andrew McDonald has come to the defense of Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) curator Matt Page amid fierce criticism following the fourth Ashes Test, which ended inside two days on a green, seam-friendly pitch. McDonald warned against authorities interfering in pitch preparation and praised Page’s work, despite the match costing Cricket Australia approximately AUD 10 million in lost revenue.
McDonald backs Page: “He’s done an outstanding job”
Speaking on Monday, McDonald rejected calls for Cricket Australia to take a more interventionist role in pitch preparation, arguing that Page has consistently delivered quality surfaces over the years.
“The perspective that I always use is we have bad Test matches as well—this Test we weren’t at our best and sometimes these things can happen. We support him in what he’s done and are really proud of the evolution of the MCG. He’s found a nice balance for a long period of time,” McDonald said.
The MCG curator and his team have faced intense scrutiny after leaving 10 millimetres of grass on the wicket for the Boxing Day Test, which provided excessive movement and bounce for the seamers. Batting became treacherous, with no player reaching fifty in the entire match as England secured a four-wicket victory inside two days.
McDonald also suggested that the batsmen should shoulder some responsibility for the shortened match, rather than blaming the pitch alone.
Cricket Australia faces AUD 10 million revenue shortfall
The early finish left Cricket Australia facing a massive financial hit, with tickets for days three, four, and five needing to be refunded. The estimated AUD 10 million (USD 6.7 million) revenue shortfall includes lost ticket sales, hospitality packages, and food and beverage income.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg has suggested that a more interventionist approach might be needed in future, saying “short Tests are bad for business.” The governing body is set to undertake its own end-of-season review of Test wicket management.
McDonald warns against interference in pitch preparation
However, McDonald pushed back strongly against any suggestion that Cricket Australia or team captains should dictate pitch conditions, arguing that curators in Australia have traditionally been independent.
“I don’t want to get to a situation where we are asking for specific surfaces and tailor-made. I don’t think Australia will ever go there, and I don’t think they’ve ever been there, to my knowledge,” McDonald said.
His comments underscore a long-standing principle in Australian cricket: that curators are free to prepare pitches as they see fit, without interference from administrators or teams.
ICC verdict pending
International Cricket Council referee Jeff Crowe is yet to deliver his official assessment of the MCG pitch. If handed an “unsatisfactory” rating, the venue would be slapped with a demerit point under the ICC’s pitch and outfield monitoring system.
The MCG pitch controversy follows similar criticism of the Perth Stadium surface, which also produced a two-day finish in the first Ashes Test. Both matches have sparked debate about the balance between bat and ball in modern Test cricket.