NEW DELHI: Sydney Cricket Ground pitch curator Adam Lewis has backed the surface prepared for the fifth and final Ashes Test, expressing confidence that it will offer a fair contest between bat and ball.
His comments come in the backdrop of heavy criticism around pitch quality following the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, which ended inside two days.
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Lewis made it clear that outside criticism does not influence his work and that he prefers to stay away from negative noise. Speaking about how he approaches his role.
“I don’t scroll, I don’t have social media, so I try and keep all that negative energy away from me. We’re trying to produce the best pitch we can with the climate that we’re given,” Lewis said on SEN Radio.
He then addressed the current condition of the pitch and explained why visible grass is still present days before the Test begins.
“We’re happy with the color of the pitch at the moment, we don’t want it to not have any green in it three days out from the Test. Hopefully, we see a little bit of sun, which will help draw the moisture out.”
Lewis also shared his expectations for how the pitch will play once the Test gets underway, suggesting early assistance for bowlers followed by improved conditions for batting.
“Look, we’re hoping for a nice green tinge on Day 1 so the ball can get some good carry, but a nice and even surface. We’re looking like we’ve got good weather for the five days, and my gut feeling is that we will see some good batting,” he added.
With Australia already holding an unassailable 3–1 lead in the Ashes series, both teams will be keen to finish the contest with a victory.
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