AUS vs NZ | Boxing Day Test at MCG a part of Australia Cricket's tradition, reveals Steven Smith

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has been in unwanted limelight lately after a Sheffield Shield fixture was abandoned due to a dangerous pitch. The umpires and match referee were forced to take the call after several Western Australia batsmen suffered blows from awkwardly rising deliveries.

Such turn of events has now cast a question mark over the fate of the Boxing Day Test match to be played between Australia and New Zealand on December 26. While Cricket Australia has assured that the match will be played on a different pitch which is safe and of international standards, there is still a lot of work to be done on the strip to ensure its eligibility.

“He’s a good curator and he’ll be doing what he can to get us a good wicket for Boxing Day,” Hindustan Times quoted Steven Smith as saying. 

“Then I guess they have another year to work on their wickets to give us an even contest for bat and ball, that’s what we want to see.”

The pitch at the MCG has been highly criticised lately even after the team’ have been able to scalp 20 wickets. Smith, while playing down the criticism, pointed out that Boxing Day Test in Melbourne has been a tradition and hence any question of shifting it shouldn’t be entertained. He was hoping that the strip would be made fit before the second Test later this year. 

“I’d love for it to stay, it’s part of the tradition of Australian cricket for a long time. I’ve had some of my great memories of cricket walking out there on Boxing Day, listening to the anthems, you get kind of a shiver down your spine," added Smith. 

“The Boxing Day test in Melbourne is something I look forward to every year. It’s a great occasion and I would love for Melbourne to keep it.”