Pigeon backs wicketless Bird
AUSTRALIAN cricket great Glenn McGrath says Tasmanian fast bowler Jackson Bird should not be judged too harshly after struggling with the ball during the Boxing Day Test.
Brought in for his first Test in 12 months to replace Mitchell Starc, Bird failed to take a wicket during England’s first innings, finishing with 0-108 off 30 overs.
“If there’s just a fraction in the pitch he gets it out of it and there’s been nothing in that pitch there and his lack of pace and lack of doing anything I think has shown in this Test,” McGrath told Fox Sports.
“He’s had such a great summer so you can’t take anything away from him. You can’t judge on one game.” STRONG crowds have attended the Boxing Day Test, but the dead rubber has been far from a hit with television viewers.
Across the first three days ratings for broadcaster Channel 9 were marginally up on the corresponding Test against Pakistan last year but down by at least 30 per cent on the 2013-14 Boxing Day Ashes Test, which Australia also entered leading the series 3-0.
The ratings come as Cricket Australia continues to negotiate a new broadcast rights deal, the current contract with Channel 9 due to expire next year.
Meanwhile, the MCG has marked a milestone, with 14 million people attending Test matches at the venue since 1877.