MCG curator in ‘state of shock’ after Ashes Test carnage

MELBOURNE Cricket Ground head curator Matt Page said yesterday he was in a “state of shock” watching the carnage unfold during the two-day fourth Ashes Test, which has left Cricket Australia facing millions of dollars in lost revenue.

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Page and his team left 10 millimetres of grass on the wicket, providing fast bowlers with excessive seam movement and bounce that made batting treacherous.

A combined 36 wickets tumbled in 142 overs, with 20 falling on the opening day, and the game was all over in the evening session of day two as England won by four wickets for their first victory in Australia since January 2011.

More than 90,000 fans had been expected for day three, with many more for days four and five.

However, with ticket sales having to be refunded, Cricket Australia faces another major financial hit after the Ashes series opener in Perth also ended within two days.

Chief executive Todd Greenberg estimated on Sunday that the Melbourne shortfall alone would cost the governing body more than R111.2 million.

It is the first time the same series has had multiple two-day Tests for 129 years, dating back to an era when pitches were left uncovered to the weather.