TAKING BACK THE BIGGEST STAGE
Middle order key to win
CRICKET: Once the dust has settled on Christmas and the last of the leftover ham has been eaten, it is time to get stuck into an Aussie summer tradition, the Boxing Day Test.
In what shapes up as the most intriguing Test of Australia’s series with India, both sides will be looking to grab a crucial series lead at the MCG; that is unless the pitch has anything to say about that.
After two thrilling Tests to kick off proceedings, there has been speculation of a lifeless deck in Melbourne, however officials have waved off those claims.
That leaves one burning question, who will take out the Boxing Day Test? The Chronicle gathered the thoughts of Toowoomba cricket identities. Metropolitan-Easts captain Ross Milton predicts it could come down to which middle order produces best.
“It’s been an entertaining Test series so far. The first Test was close and so was the second until the final innings,” Milton said.
“It’s good to watch for spectators and you wouldn’t expect anything different in this Test.
“It should be close again. There’s runs to be desired from the middle order of both teams, so whoever can resolve that might just win.
“They’ve got a new curator at the MCG so he might have a few ideas to get a bit more out of the deck.
“The last two Tests there have been pretty uneventful, so hopefully the curators have been given the nod to put a bit of life in the pitch.”
Milton said there was a newfound belief in this side following their Perth heroics which they needed to build on today.
“After the last victory, you could see what it meant to the guys,” he said.
“They all have a lot to play for and want to set things right, especially in front of the big crowd.
“I think Usman Khawaja will stand up with the bat, and Mitchell Starc has been copping pressure, but I think he can bounce back and put in a good performance.”
Toowoomba representative coach Tony Anderson
echoed similar thoughts on the pitch, but believes Australia can take an edge.
“At this stage I think it’s going to be a tight Test, and a lot will hinge on how the wicket plays,” Anderson said.
“If the pitch has longer grass, it will favour the Australian bowlers and put pressure on the Indian top order.
“They’ve got a long tail, and if they lose wickets, (Virat) Kohli can’t do it all on his own.”