After the complete disintegration of the Australian batting in the fourth Ashes Test played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), questions have been raised on the team’s strategy and technique. Australia was bowled out for 152 runs in the first innings and just 132 runs in the second innings, due to which it suffered a Test defeat against England on home soil after more than 15 years.
Important advice from Robin Uthappa
Former Indian cricketer Robin Uthappa has advised Australian batsmen to bat with patience on difficult pitches like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Uthappa said, ‘This situation is a bit contradictory. This is not an impossible wicket. There are pitches in Melbourne which are helpful for fast bowlers. He further said, ‘I think the effect of the way cricket is being played these days is visible. These pitches may seem difficult, but with the right technique, right mindset and fighting spirit, a solution can be found.
250 runs can also be enough
Uthappa believes that it is wrong to expect a huge score on such a wicket. He said, ‘It will not be a 300 plus match, but 250 runs are also possible on this wicket. You have to struggle. Play it like Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, runs will definitely come.
Joe Root also looked confused
Robin Uthappa gave the example of England’s legendary batsman Joe Root and said that it is not easy for anyone to bat on such a wicket. He said, ‘Joe Root also looked confused in that test. He was not able to understand whether to play aggressively or bat in his natural style. He also expressed disappointment over the early end of the Test matches. Khawaja said, ‘I am saying this with some hesitation, but I do not like Ashes Tests that end in two days. What are we doing with sports in the name of entertainment?’
Eyes on SCG pitch also
Now all eyes are on the pitch of Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where the fifth and last Test of Ashes 2025-26 is to be played from January 4. According to reports, there is a good amount of grass on the pitch. Recently, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test played on the same ground ended in two and a half days, where no team could reach 185 runs in four innings. In such a situation, there is pressure on curator Adam Lewis to prepare a balanced and ‘sporting wicket’, so that both batsmen and bowlers can get equal opportunities.
