Moody on MCG pitch drama

Western Australian Men's Cricket Team fast bowler David Moody says his side was satisfied that the right decision was made to abandon the Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG, citing player safety as paramount.

Play was abandoned after 39.4 overs on the opening day after several batsmen including Western Australia captain Shaun Marsh were struck by balls that reared up off a full length, match officials reaching the decision that the wicket was unfit for play the following morning.

“We noted that we hadn’t seen many wickets quite as green. Moody told SportsDrive on Monday.

Having said that it was pretty hard underfoot and we definitely thought the pitch would be lively, but we didn’t expect anything like that.”

Marsh, Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green all sustained blows during time at the batting crease, with the WA hierarchy alerting the match officials as early as lunch on the opening day of the treacherous batting conditions.

“There was a lot happening in the first session. In the first few overs after the break it got even worse." Moody said.

“The conversation was had at lunch (with the umpires), we were well aware it wasn’t going to get any better. We were prepared at lunchtime that if this doesn’t change we will come off and won’t come back on until something happens. “

Concern remains around the MCG pitch ahead of the Boxing Day Test match between Australia and New Zealand, to be played in under three weeks time.

The teams are likely to share three points each from the abandoned fixture, as talks continue around the match being rescheduled after this year's Big Bash League.

IMAGE: Cricket Australia