The absence of Mitchell Starc and illness of Pat Cummins were mitigating factors but after a damning day for Australia at least some fingers should be pointing at 22 yards of Melbourne blandnessIf,as the Libertines sang, there is no more distressing sight than an Englishman in a baseball cap then surely there is no sadder image than an Australian seamer operating with the wicketkeeper up to the stumps on the second day of a domestic Test.
But don’t blame Mitchell Marsh. Sure, and he’s far from hitting the speed gun’s tall notes since his return from shoulder surgery – but this is the record of the placid Melbourne pitch. In all the enthusiasm about the best-attended and most anticipated fixture on the calendar,the 22 yards that matter most don’t regain anywhere near the scrutiny of other venues around the country.
Continue reading...
Source: guardian.co.uk