Curator defends 'embarrassing' MCG pitch

Melbourne Cricket Club's new curator Cameron Hodgkins insists the MCG's pitch will be improved by next season after Cricket Victoria called it "embarrassing" and some players, including David Hussey, deemed it unsuitable. Cricket Victoria had complained that the surface was the worst in the country and that it impeded the state's chances to develop future international players.

"The problem is there's no pace on the ball," Hussey told the Age. "There's just nothing behind the ball even when you bang it in and the outfield's a bit slow. It's not great for batting; it's not great for bowling either. But we played some good cricket on it." Hussey averaged 53.66 in six Pura Cup innings there.

Darren Berry, Victoria's assistant coach, told the paper he had received complaints from the players last season about the drop-in pitch. "For a few years the bounce was even," he said. "But last year, the bounce was inconsistent and it wasn't conducive to run-scoring. It was a grind ... for the batters."

Hodgkins, who was parachuted in from Hobart earlier this year having improved the Bellerive Oval wicket, said inconsistencies in grass coverage had been created by large amounts of a mineral that had hampered growth. New soil and grass have been added to the drop-in pitches, while he has also addressed concerns about where the turf strips would be kept in winter.

"The MCC has worked closely with the Melbourne City Council to create a permanent portable-wicket nursery in Yarra Park," Hodgkins told the paper. "Coming into summer they should be in really good shape. We are very confident next season we will see a measurable improvement. Our wickets will certainly fulfil the requirements of first-class and international cricket."

Cricket Victoria's nine-year deal with the MCC to host international cricket ends next season, but the board's chairman Geoff Tamblyn said there was no link with the ground being deemed "embarrassing". However, he sounded a warning to the current tenants, telling the paper: "The MCC could keep good faith with us by making sure ... we get guaranteed that wickets will be of top order."

Hodgkins is confident this will happen, although only after the international rules match has taken place in October. He defended the use of the controversial drop-in pitches, which have been decried as taking away a ground's character. "We are a multi-purpose stadium," he said, "and, as such, we need the flexibility to be able to host different events and also cater for cricket."