Adam Lewis, chief curator at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), has responded to fears that the pitch’s grassly facade. This nontraditional color has been turning the heads of both administrators and players. The pitch is a strange red color, raising eyebrows and igniting debate just days before the first Test match. Many are questioning its suitability for long-term, consistent play.
Lewis promised players and investors that the green color would be almost indistinguishable when the game launches. He contrasted that with the SCG square which, although it may look incredibly green, is actually engineered to make a very good Test match last five days.
And that will go a long way towards taking the greenness out of that pitch. So far, we’re extremely pleased with the quality of pitches. We’re looking good,” Lewis declared. He noted for him this year his operating staff decided to mow-turf a height of 6mm. Their favorite last season was their 186g road variant, which was quite similar to the 7mm. This change will help to balance the pitch’s performance with its ability to be playable throughout the whole match.
Despite the green appearance, Lewis expressed confidence in the pitch’s condition, stating, “You want to see green tinge three days out. If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out, then that’s when (it’s a worry)… I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.” He further explained that they chose to thin down the density of the turf in order to properly achieve the playing standards.
The worries about the SCG pitch are not without reason. After last year’s Test match finished inside two-and-a-half days, concerns were again raised about the quality of the playing surface. Additionally, the first Test in Perth finished inside two days, resulting in significant financial losses for Cricket Australia, amounting to around $15 million this summer.
Todd Greenberg, CEO of Cricket Australia, expressed optimism regarding the upcoming SCG Test match, stating he was confident it would last the distance. He answered far more questions on wickets and turf measures than he ever thought possible. That increase is creating new pressures around pitch conditions.
Against the backdrop of these dramas, Joe Root, captain of England’s Test cricket team, taking a close look at the SCG pitch on Thursday. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s comment was, understandably, a bit cheeky. He further proposed that the match continue through to day three in support of the McGrath Foundation fundraiser.
It means Todd Murphy will get a first taste of home SCG conditions in front of an SCG home crowd. This provides a thrilling new layer of motivation to the match!
