Name: SCG prepares for Ashes Test after MCG pitch controversy
Uploaded: 2025-12-28T07:28:33.073Z
Duration: 1 min 45 s
Description: The Sydney Cricket Ground is set to host the next Ashes Test following criticism of the MCG pitch, which led to a shortened test match. Players and officials say they are focused on ensuring fairer conditions for the match.

The Sydney Cricket Ground is set to host the next Ashes Test following criticism of the MCG pitch, which led to a shortened test match. Players and officials say they are focused on ensuring fairer conditions for the match.

Moore Park

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) faced criticism after a lively pitch resulted in the third shortest Ashes contest on Australian soil, with 20 wickets falling on the first day. Officials admitted to misjudging the pitch preparation, leaving 10mm of grass due to expected hot conditions, which significantly affected play.

Attention now turns to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which is preparing to host the next Ashes Test. Players and staff are hopeful for improved conditions, while notable cricketers like Brett Lee were recognized for their achievements, with Lee being inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.

SCG prepares for Ashes Test after MCG pitch controversy

No cricket today after a lively pitch produced the third shortest Ashers contest on Australian soil and the MCG admit they got it wrong. I was in a state of shock after the first day to see everything that happened and 20 wickets in a day. I've never been involved in a Test match like it. I feel for him. It's bloody tough. You leave one or two mil on with high quality bowling and you find yourself short and you take two or three mil off with high quality batting and you leave yourself the other way. A call was made to leave 10 mils of grass with hot conditions forecast for days three and four. Pressure's now on the SCG to get it right next week in Sydney. We've seen cracks on it last year with grass so let's see. It'd be nice to go out on a winning note next week, 13 days of Test cricket. I think we've been pretty good for 12 of them. Head wasn't keen on a friendly match with England to make up for lost time. Instead the South Aussie will celebrate his 32nd birthday tomorrow. He won't be at Noosa, but England's getaway was hard to ignore. I'm jealous. Bit stiff. I get along with Ducky well. Reached out to him to see if he was going alright. What you do in your personal time is up to you. Josh Inglis and Bo Webster are available to play Big Bash but they'll return to the Aussie squad ahead of next week's Ashes finale. Head back to opening partner Jake Wetherald after a baptism by fire this summer. Wickets have been challenging but it's not an excuse. I think he's a good enough cricketer for international cricket. I think he showed a lot of glimpses over his first four tests and it's not always going to go your way. A quick MCG deck had Brett Lee written all over it. The champion speedster is the latest inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. The grass in the wicket was probably too long, 10mm grass. Would I have liked to bowl on it? Absolutely. Not at the age of 49. Jonathan Simon, 10 News.

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