IND vs AUS 4th Test: Melbourne pitch report, ground conditions, toss factor, stats and records
IND vs AUS 4th Test: Melbourne pitch report, ground conditions, toss factor, stats and records
The fourth Test between India and Australia, beginning December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), will be a chance for both sides to edge ahead in the five-game Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Australia will make two changes, getting in batter Sam Konstas and pacer Scott Boland in place of Nathan McSweeney and Josh Hazlewood, respectively. India will have its tail up heading into the contest after avoiding a defeat in the third Test in Brisbane.
In the lead up to the fourth encounter, the pitch curator, Matt Page, at the MCG said the strip is going to help the seam bowlers.
In the 24 matches at the venue since the turn of the century, teams batting first have won 10 times. The teams bowling first have secured 12 wins while two games have ended in draws.
The curator added that his staff will keep a layering of grass on the pitch and it is unlikely to develop cracks through the course of the contest.
In the 24 matches since 2000, pacers have taken 564 wickets at an average of 30. Spinners have 162 wickets at an average of 41.85. However, Page said that once the ball softens up, batters will find the scoring easier.
Teams winning the toss have opted to bat on 15 occasions, and only six have won the contest. Two matches ended in a draw. Bowling first has yielded better results, with five out of nine teams going on to win the match.
The highest successful chase at the venue is 231 by Australia against England in 2013. But the fact that Australia won by eight wickets suggests the conditions remain conducive for batters.
Hence, the captain winning the toss might not hesitate to go for a run chase.
The weather forecast through the week remains clear. However, there are moderate chances of rain on Saturday, day three of the match.
