CA rules out central control of pitches despite two-day Test concerns

Cricket Australia has ruled out taking greater control over Test pitch preparation, insisting local curators remain best placed to manage conditions despite the fallout from two matches that ended inside two days last summer.

The debate intensified during the Ashes when Tests in Perth and Melbourne finished prematurely, costing CA an estimated AUD 15 million in lost revenue. The Boxing Day Test at the MCG, in particular, drew sharp criticism after 20 wickets fell on a lively surface, prompting concerns about the balance between bat and ball.

However, CA’s head of operations Peter Roach dismissed the idea of centralised pitch control, calling it “inconceivable” given Australia’s diverse climates and soil types. He argued that curators with local knowledge are far better equipped to prepare suitable surfaces than any central authority.

Australia currently provides guidance through consultant Les Burdett and sets broad expectations for pitches to last at least four days while offering a fair contest. But venues ultimately retain autonomy over how surfaces are prepared.

CA maintains that not all short Tests indicate poor pitches. The Perth surface, for instance, received a “very good” rating from the ICC, with officials attributing the quick finish more to player performance than pitch quality. Melbourne, however, was acknowledged as an outlier.

Roach expressed confidence that curators would respond, pointing to improvements seen in previous seasons and backing MCG curator Matt Page to deliver a better surface in future matches.

Importantly, CA views the variation in conditions across venues—from pace-friendly Perth to traditionally slower eastern grounds—as a competitive strength. While that diversity carries some risk, officials believe preserving it is vital to maintaining the unique character of Test cricket in Australia.

For CA, the solution lies not in control, but in collaboration and trust in those closest to the pitches.