MCC CEO Stuart Fox is certain MCG curator Matt Page will produce a good pitch for the upcoming Boxing Day Test between Australia and South Africa.
With pitches in the spotlight after the Gabba received a below-average for the first Test, pressure has been heaped on Page and his staff to offer a surface that provides an even battle between bat and ball.
While those expectations are there externally, Fox himself has no doubts about what the pitch will look like and added that there’s no pressure being heaped on from his end.
“The press are putting more pressure on him than anyone,” Fox told SEN Breakfast.
“I’ve told Matt to not even pick up a paper for a read, he’ll do his job and he’s done a great job for the past three or four years.
“We’ve got no doubts about what we’re about to produce, I think it’ll be a good pitch and we’re not too worried.
“We certainly don’t listen to what’s going on externally.
“In fact, I probably get a little bit angry about some of the journalism around this issue, to be honest.”
The last time the MCG pitch earned the ire of cricket watchers was during the 2017/18 Ashes Series when the ICC gave the surface a poor rating after a dull draw took place.
While Fox concedes that criticism was fair, he believes the pitches produced in the last four years are proof that the ground staff have done their jobs well since.
“We deserved it, we produced a poor pitch back in 2017,” Fox said.
“But since then, we’ve spent millions of dollars, got the right people in and in the last few years it’s been fantastic.
“So, we feel like we’ve done our job and I do get disappointed with some of the commentary right around Australia.
“These guys work pretty hard and it’s a very, very fine line these guys walk.
“It’s a game of inches really between producing a good pitch or a bad pitch, so there’s an art to it.”
With hot weather expected for next week in Melbourne, Fox says the pitch is “looking really good” and that Page and his team won’t alter the pitch based on the wants of outside influences.
“Matt’s our man, he’s been out there and it’s looking really good for the Test,” Fox said.
“He’s one of the best in the game, he’s produced I think three really good pitches for us in the last three years,” Fox said.
“We want him to do exactly what he’s been doing and we’re not going to be influenced by the odd player comment or a journalist having things to say.
“The proof is in the pudding so bring it on Day 1.”
The Boxing Day Tests begins at the MCG on Monday, December 26 at 10:30 am local time.