Pietersen and Kartik slam MCG pitch after two-day Ashes Test
Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Kartik criticised the bowler-friendly MCG pitch after the Ashes Test ended in two days, highlighting selective criticism of Indian tracks. Michael Vaughan and Aakash Chopra joined the chorus, while CA CEO Todd Greenberg admitted short Tests are bad for business
Melbourne: The bowler-friendly Melbourne pitch on which 20 wickets fell on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test has prompted Kevin Pietersen and Dinesh Kartik to highlight the selective criticism of Indian tracks when spinners take wickets in heaps.
The Australian and England bowlers combined to take 20 wickets on Friday, while the hosts were bundled out for 132 in their second innings in 34.3 overs in just over one session.
“India ALWAYS gets hammered when wickets fall like crazy on Day 1 of a Test and so I hope that Australia gets the same scrutiny! Fair is fair!” wrote former England skipper Pietersen on his X account.
The decision to leave 10mm grass on the MCG deck generated massive sideways movement, making batting a lottery. In all, 36 wickets tumbled in six sessions as the fourth Test ended inside two days with England winning by four wickets.
The Ashes series so far has seen action only on 13 of the scheduled 20 match days. Earlier, the first Test at Perth too ended inside two days with Australia winning by eight wickets.
“MCG has produced an ordinary pitch here. Can’t believe two out of the four Ashes Tests could end in two days. For all the hype, four Ashes Tests have happened in just 13 days,” said former India batter Kartik.
Observers noted the contrast with the heavy criticism Indian pitches face when spinners dominate, recalling the 2020-21 series when England crumbled against Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel in Chennai and Ahmedabad.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan fumed: “This pitch is a joke. This is selling the game short. The players, broadcasters and more importantly the fans. 26 wickets in 98 overs.”
Former India opener Aakash Chopra added: “Not a single over of spin in 1.5 days of a Test match. 27 wickets have fallen already. Imagine the meltdown if not a single over of pace was bowled for that long in the subcontinent.”
Both Australia and England entered the fourth Test without a frontline spinner and did not even use part-timers like Travis Head or Will Jacks. Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury after the third Test at Adelaide.
Bad for business: CA
Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg admitted the Melbourne pitch was not a great advertisement for Test cricket.
“As mesmerising and fascinating and enjoyable as it was to watch as a fan, we want Test cricket clearly to go for longer. Short Tests are bad for business. I can’t be more blunt than that,” he told SEN Radio.
Greenberg suggested CA may take a more hands-on approach in pitch preparation, keeping in mind business interests. “Historically we have taken a hands-off approach in wicket preparation. But it’s hard not to get more involved when you see the impact on the sport, particularly commercially,” he added.
