The iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) recently received a lot of flak following the conclusion of the fourth Ashes Test inside two days. The battle became unforgettable, with 36 wickets falling inside two days on a pace-friendly pitch. England remained on top throughout the game, securing their first Test victory on Australian soil in 15 years.
Traditionally, the MCG pitch is expected to offer a balanced contest, but in the fourth Test, only fast bowlers enjoyed the conditions, keeping the batters at bay. The surface had excessive grass and uneven hardness, creating unpredictable bounce and sharp seam movement that made batting extremely difficult.
Following the debacle, former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa advised Australian batters to bat like Indian batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwara Pujara to brave the pace attack.
“See, it’s a dichotomous situation. It’s not like it’s an impossible wicket. There are such wickets in Melbourne which are very juicy for fast bowlers. I think it’s because of the way cricket is played today. I feel like these pitches are unsporting, but if you have the right technique, the right mindset and the fight in you, you’ll be able to figure out a solution for this kind of wicket as well. It’s not a high-scoring game. It won’t be a 300-plus game, but even a 250 on this wicket is possible. You’ve got to fight it out. Play it like Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Definitely, you’ll score runs,” Uthappa said on his YouTube channel.
Robin Uthappa also had advice for England stalwart Joe Root, who has encountered challenges in scoring substantial knocks.
“I am saying this with a grain of salt because the way we’re playing Test cricket has now changed. I don’t enjoy it a lot, like Ashes Test matches that finished in two days. What are we doing to the sport for entertainment? Joe Root too lost in that Test match. He didn’t know how to play, play attacking cricket, or play his own way in the second innings. It was quite unfortunate… I empathise with them,” he added.