Ground staff at Perth’s Optus Stadium have installed a new drop-in wicket ahead of the upcoming Ashes Test, aiming to strike a better balance between bat and ball after 17 wickets fell on day one of last year’s match.

Perth

A new drop-in wicket has been laid at Optus Stadium in Perth for the first Ashes test, with officials working to prevent a repeat of last year's opening day, which saw seventeen wickets fall when Australia played India. The new pitch is not expected to be as heavily bowler-friendly, with efforts focused on achieving a fair contest between bat and ball. Organisers have stated their intention to avoid a short test match and are preparing the surface accordingly. The first two days of the test are already sold out, and cricket fans will have a chance to see the pitch in action during Australia's upcoming one-day match against India.

Balanced wicket prepared for Optus Stadium Ashes Test

The drop-in wicket for the first test of the Ashes at Optus Stadium has been laid into place with officials hoping it won't repeat last year's opening day carnage. Seventeen wickets fell on day one when Australia took on India in Perth last summer. The new deck not expected to be as bowler-friendly this time around. The last thing we want is a short test match. So we're working on that to ensure that although you can never control what happens on the pitch, the best you can do is prepare the best surface to make sure there's a really good balance between bat and ball. The first two days of the test have been sold out, but fans will get an early look at the pitch in Australia's one-dayer against India on Sunday week.

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