***Official*** 4th Test at the MCG

[Cabinet96]

He averages 64 now. After 60 tests...

 

[Burgey]

Australia has always produced far more positive and entertaining cricketers than England, because #intent and natural superiority. We still do.

Now we are also better than them at grinding out tough draws and being boring, the latter of which has always been an inherently natural English trait owing to the ossified and dreary nature of English culture, climate and of course, their people.

The fact such a naturally free flowing and entertaining race as Australians has learnt to do this only reinforces their superiority and will lead to this side dominating not only Ashes contests but world cricket for the next decade.

 

[quincywagstaff]

This is the dullest Test I can recall played in Australia for decades. Only comparable one is Nz in Perth in 14/15 but that least had considerably faster scoring than this match did.

You’d probably have to go back to the Adelaide yawns of the mid-80s (India 85/86, Eng 86/87, NZ 87/88) or possibly v Sri Lanka at the Gabba in 89/90 for a match as dreary.

 

[Anil]

truly a phenom! very impressive!

 

[Darwin Award]

Smith's last 5 innings at the MCG

134 not out
70 not out
165 not out
76
101 not out (currently)

Last 4 Boxing day tests he's scored a century.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This has been one of the dullest tests in recent memory. Truly awful.

 

[vcs]

Yes, very forgettable match. Hope the SCG pitch is better.

 

[Burgey]

I’m just happy Australia is showing an inclination for the grind when they have to, albeit the pitch has massively helped. Started to show it in India and good to see its continuing.

 

[Red]

What’s this song the BA are singing now, with the clapping?

 

[Burgey]

Yes, very forgettable match. Hope the SCG pitch is better.

SCG >>>>>>>> mcg in every way.

 

[vcs]

Remember Pakistan only had to bat out two sessions on this same pitch in a game that had barely 3 days of play, and still failed.

 

[Burgey]

Remember Pakistan only had to bat out two sessions on this same pitch in a game that had barely 3 days of play, and still failed.

That’ll be India next year.

 

[Anil]

isn't it safe enough to cut loose just a little?

 

[mr_mister]

isn't it safe enough to cut loose just a little?

Averages to boost

 

[OverratedSanity]

Well thank **** that's over. That pitch can die in a fire.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Boring Test, but still an important innings from Smith and Marsh.

 

[quincywagstaff]

I’m just happy Australia is showing an inclination for the grind when they have to, albeit the pitch has massively helped. Started to show it in India and good to see its continuing.

Reckon that will be one of the defining features of the Smith era; how much tougher Australia will be to get out when trying to save matches. How meek Oz were in SL probably shocked him and the signs of change were there on the 3rd Test in India.

 

[S.Kennedy]

Glad I didn't really watch this match, just flicking it on here-and-there, but I am guessing Boycott was impressed with Marsh's 17 strike-rate?


Nasser Hussain, The MCG is the real villain here... Test cricket cannot survive in the Twenty20 age with boring drop-in pitches
The MCG pitch is the real villain here | Daily Mail Online

 

[vic_orthdox]

I think it's unfair to blame the fact that it's a drop in - there was a shocker in Perth the other week. It's just the fact that it doesn't deteriorate as much, but there's ways of ensuring that the wicket can still produce good cricket. See: Adelaide.

 

[social]

There's lots of evidence to suggest that MCG drop ins don't deteriorate so keep some live grass on it

A raging green top would better than this thing