Australia's cricket selectors appear increasingly likely to hand spinner Todd Murphy his first Test match on home soil, after the Sydney Cricket Ground's chief curator moved to allay fears over the pitch's green appearance.
Curator Confident Pitch Will Mellow
With administrators still nervous following last week's two-day finish in Melbourne, the sight of an extremely green SCG square on Thursday raised immediate concerns. However, head curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that the surface would be perfectly prepared for the start of play.
"You want to see a green tinge three days out," Lewis explained. "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 noted that sunshine forecast for the days leading into the Test would naturally reduce the greenness.
Lewis admitted he felt sympathy for his MCG counterpart, Matt Page, after the Melbourne debacle, but said he felt no external pressure to artificially extend the Sydney Test. His confidence comes despite last year's SCG Test finishing in just two-and-a-half days.
Deliberate Changes for a Better Contest
To encourage a longer, more balanced game, Lewis revealed his team has made specific adjustments. This year, the grass will be cut to 6mm, down from 7mm last season, and its density has been reduced. This generally flattens the wicket, producing less early seam movement while creating conditions conducive to spin later in the match.
"We just thought we could thin our density out a little bit," Lewis said. "That's what we've done this year. We've practised that in the Shield matches and we've received very good marks."
Murphy's Moment and Selection Puzzles
These conditions spell promising news for young off-spinner Todd Murphy. Australia's coaching staff held a prolonged discussion around the pitch on Friday morning, having left Murphy out for four quicks in Melbourne. Murphy then bowled extensively to Australia's top order in training, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey also having an extended session keeping to him.
With seven overseas Tests already to his name, Murphy is expected to come into the side for fast bowler Jhye Richardson if selected. Another selection question surrounds all-rounder Cameron Green, after Beau Webster was seen fielding in the gully during slips practice.
The push for a longer Test has reached the highest levels, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joking at a function on Thursday night that the teams must at least reach day three to support the McGrath Foundation's Pink Test fundraiser.
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg echoed the curator's optimism, stating he was hopeful for a "long and productive Test match." Greenberg revealed, "I've had more phone calls and conversations about wickets and millimetres of grass than I thought I'd ever have." The financial stakes are high, with CA estimated to have lost around $15 million in profits this summer after the Perth and Melbourne Tests both finished inside two days.
