MCG looking at high-tech cameras to avoid pitch disaster

The MCG is likely to install at least one special, high-tech camera for Sheffield Shield games this summer which will measure seam movement, bounce, and other key metrics.

The expensive technology is commonplace at Test level but has been dismissed as overkill or unecessary by venues around the country for First Class cricket.

But the Melbourne Cricket Club and Cricket Australia are determined to avoid another two-day Test and is investigating the best way to gather objective pitch data from pre-Christmas matches so head curator Matt Page can prepare a Test strip like the one we saw two summers ago versus India. 

While TV audiences regularly enjoy detailed pitch analysis for Tests, curators and match referees at the level below have generally relied upon subjective feedback to assess the quality of surfaces. 

This approach allows for too many variables, which makes it difficult to accurately assess Shield wickets in the lead up to Tests.

This camera technology will minimise the subjective component, instead allowing Page and his team to assess objective data as they would following a Boxing Day Test.

The plan was raised at the annual curators conference three weeks ago, where pitch curating guru Les Burdett, Cricket Australia CEO Todd Greenberg, and chief of cricket James Alsopp all spoke.

Adelaide Oval head curator Damian Hough also delivered a presentation which was well received. 

Hough explained what works in Adelaide – widely considered one of the best grounds in the country across all formats – and openly shared his learnings. 

It’s also understood the MCG will host one day-night Shield game in February to fine-tune conditions ahead of the historical sesquicentenary Test between Australia and England in March.

Australia and England will each have exactly eight days to prepare for the match following series’ in India and Bangladesh respectively.

Curators were also told to err on the side of shaving grass off pitches and to try to replicate Test surfaces as best as possible for the upcoming summer.