Now, some of my favourite cricket grounds are charming: Set amongst rolling hills with old wooden pavilions and horse chestnut trees overhanging the boundaries. The MCG is a different type of arena all together. I've not been lucky enough to watch any cricket there. On my only visit to Melbourne I took a tour of the ground and it was immense. It made me feel like an excited child: I wore my full England One Day Kit and had my photo taken in the players box. The only Cricket I saw was Victoria against South Australia at the Junction Oval in St. Kilda. As an English back packer it was a chance to shout a bit at Jason Gillespie (it was the January following our 2005 series win).
England's record at The MCG reads a whole lot easier than our doom- laden past in Perth. In 53 Test Matches Australia have won 27 and England have won 19 (there have been 7 draws and one match abandoned due to rain). Whilst it's not quite 50/50 but it's getting closer! More worrying, perhaps, is that Australia have lost just once at The MCG in the last 10 years.
Rumours abound that Groundsman Cameron Hodgkins has been asked to prepare the quickest and bounciest pitch in the ground's long history. He strongly denies this but I wouldn't be surprised if the Aussie's look to gain every possible advantage in the series. It's actually something I've admired about them during their period of dominance and I'm often disappointed how comfortable we make things for touring sides on our shores. With history to guide us, we can only assume that the conditions will be much more comfortable for our batsmen. I'll be hoping we win the toss and bat after which the most difficult thing for Cooky and the skipper will be coping with the 1.2 million spectators expected to attend day 1. If they get over that it should be good to bat on and Swanny can play more of a roll later on. I also expect our man Jimmy Anderson to put in a performance. Johnson might have got the swing in Perth and he may well do again in Melbourne. On the other hand he might bowl wide long hops all day and need emotional counselling through the lunch and tea intervals. In Perth Jimmy had just done a 48 hour round trip home for the birth of his new baby. And so he should... I wouldn't have it any other way. This time out, however, his preparations will have been better and he'll show why he's regarded as one of the top two fast bowlers in the world.
I don't expect any changes from Australia. Injured Ponting looks set to compete and build on his impressive series average of 16. Fingers crossed (pun intended) he continues this run of form. I also don't expect England to make changes. I think that resting Finn would be a very bad move. I don't think we'd look anywhere near as good with two thirds of our first choice seam attack sidelined. I'm then in two minds with regards to Collingwood. On form, I'd leave him out and play Timothy Bresnan. He's more than capable of batting better than Collingwood has in recent efforts and offers a credible fourth seamer option. As previously alluded to , Colly does have the odd massive score in him and I'm almost certain the change won't happen.
I will reserve my most vitriolic of seasonal wishes to anyone planning to stay up and watch or listen to the Boxing Day Test.
But... Merry Christmas one and all whether you're eating prawns and salads in 'Stralia or tucking into a roast back home.
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| 2006 at The MCG (pitch being prepared for the Commonwealth Games) |
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