Australia will take on South Africa in the second of a three-match Test series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow. After a pace-friendly Brisbane wicket, it will be interesting to see the nature of MCG’s track for this match.
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Australia dominated the first match, and they would want to do the same in this match as well. The bowlers of the side are in excellent form, but they may have to take a tough call between Scott Boland and Josh Hazlewood in this match. David Warner’s form will be looked at with great interest.
South Africa, on the other hand, will have to bat well in this match to make a comeback in the series. Much like the hosts, their bowling also looks very lethal, and if the batters can support, this side has the ability to turn it around.
Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch report
After Gabba’s pitch was termed below average by the ICC, all the eyes are now on MCG’s pitch for the Boxing Day Test. A drop-in pitch will be used at the venue, and there are reports that the pitch at the MCG is on the greener side as well.
Generally, the track in Melbourne favours the batters as we have seen flat pitches at this ground in the past, where batting first is the best option. The pacers will definitely have their say in the match as, like any other Australian wicket, there is a good bounce on this track as well. The spinners will also have a part to pay later on in the match.
However, the last Test at this ground was last year’s Boxing Day Ashes Test between Australia and England, and the pacers dominated that match. Scott Boland made his test debut there, and Australia won the match by an innings and 14 runs where 26 out of 30 wickets were taken by the pacers.
After the last Test’s performance, it looks unlikely that an outright green pitch will be made for this match as well. The average first innings score here is 308 runs, whereas the average 4th innings score is 171 runs. If not for the overcast conditions, the teams may opt to bat first here after winning the toss.
