Sheffield Shield | Dangerous pitch at MCG rules out opening day of WA vs Victoria

SportsCafe Desk

BySportsCafe Desk, SportsCafe Editor

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Opening day of a Sheffield Shield encounter has been called off due to dangerous pitch at the historic MCG. Peter Roach, a CA official, has assured that the Boxing Day Test between Australia and New Zealand scheduled at MCG in two weeks from now won’t be affected as a different pitch is to be used.

In a rather bizarre turn of events at the historic ground of MCG, the opening day of Sheffield Shield fixture between Western Australia and Victoria has been abandoned due to dangerous pitch. Umpires Philip Gillespie and Geoff Joshua called off play indefinitely as Western Australia stood at 89 for 3 after 40 overs after long discussions with pitch curator Matt Page and the skippers of the respective sides.

The umpires declared the suspension of day’s play after an inspection in the afternoon. Another inspection is scheduled on Sunday (December 8) as play is set to commence 30 minutes early. In case the match is abandoned and not rescheduled, the team’s in contention will share the points.

While quite some deliveries rose awkwardly off the surface during the course of the 40 overs of play, umpires decided to stop play after a delivery climbed sharply to hit Marcus Stoinis on the ribs.

"We're very disappointed at today's play being abandoned in the Marsh Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia," Peter Roach, CA's Head of Cricket Operations, said. "But we also acknowledge that there have been two previous Shield matches at the MCG this season without incident.

"The safety of our players is always our highest priority. The decision to suspend play and roll the wicket in an effort to address the variable bounce was the correct one and I applaud umpires Gillespie and Joshua for the decisive action taken," he added.

Roach went on to assure that the turn of events will not be affecting the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and New Zealand which is set to take place at the MCG on December 6 as it will be played on a different strip altogether.

"Matt Page and the MCG groundstaff have more than two weeks to ensure the Test surface, which is a different pitch strip to the one being used in this match, is of international standard.

"We will seek to better understand the issues that resulted in variable bounce at the MCG on Saturday. We will also work closely with MCG groundstaff in the lead up to the Test match."

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