‘This is our grand final’: But SCG curator isn’t feeling the heat ahead of Ashes finale

2 months ago 14

SCG curator Adam Lewis admits he and his team are experiencing a few pre-match nerves, but insists they are not feeling the pressure to prepare a quality pitch for the fifth Ashes Test, days after MCG counterpart Matt Page fronted a 21-minute press conference to explain Melbourne’s two-day Test.

While the Boxing Day Test was played on an MCG surface with a 10-millimetre covering of grass, Lewis said the SCG pitch is likely to have closer to six millimetres on it when Australia and England begin the series finale on Sunday.

That is slightly less than what was left on the surface last summer for the Test between Australia and India, which lasted three days.

“We took our learnings from last year,” Lewis said. “Maybe a bit too much in it on day one. We always get nervous this time of year. This is our grand final. We work months leading into our Test preparation.

“We’re just excited to get there. The only thing we can’t control is the weather. We’re just trying to prepare a pitch that’s a great balance for bat and ball.

“They’re saying [there will be] a bit more sun tomorrow, so that will take the green out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitch at the moment.”

SCG curator Adam Lewis chats with England captain Ben Stokes as he prepares the pitch on Friday.

Photos emerged on Thursday showing a green-looking SCG deck, raising concerns the final Test of the summer could be over quickly if conditions favoured the bowlers again. Lewis said there was no cause for concern.

“You want to see green tinge three days out,” Lewis said. “If you’re not seeing any live grass three days out [there is an issue]. I’m really comfortable where we’re sitting.”

Curators have been under the spotlight throughout the summer after two-day Tests in Perth and Melbourne, the latter pitch later labelled “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council.

Lewis said he rang Page after the Melbourne curator fronted the media alongside MCC chief executive Stuart Fox on the now non-existent third day of the Test, with the press conference broadcast live on some television networks.

The centre wicket at the SCG on Friday morning, two days out from the start of the fifth Test,

“We’re gutted for Matty and his whole team,” Lewis said. “It’s something we don’t plan for it. We’re trying to prepare a surface that’s great for everyone. We want the players to control the game.

“Mate, I feel for him. 21 minutes in front of you guys, it’s pretty daunting. I’m hoping we can finish up early today.”

While there have been no directives from Cricket Australia about what type of pitch to prepare, Lewis is well aware of the appetite for the match to stretch into day five.

Even Prime Minister Anthony Albanese referenced the need for the Test to last at least three days at a function with the teams at Kirribilli House on Thursday evening.

“To be totally honest with you, I don’t listen to media,” Lewis said. “I haven’t read the papers. I try and steer clear of all that.

“I’m a real positive person. I’ve got to keep my team positive. I’m just trying to make it as enjoyable for the guys as possible. We want it to be a five-day Test.

“One of my most memorable [matches] was the last Ashes [at the SCG]. I was sitting on day five watching Steve Smith bowling that last over. Now we didn’t get a result that year, but that was one of the best Test matches that I’ve seen. I’ll never forget it.”