Aussies unhappy with MCG pitch

Melbourne, Dec 25 (UNI) The pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the venue of the opening Test of India's tour Down Under, has copped a lot of criticism with the Ausssies complaining that it is low, lifeless and slow.

''Let's hope they can do something about it and make it more competitive for everyone, not just low and slow and how the batters want it,'' said Australian pacer Stuart Clark.

''The easiest way to sum it up was by about the 10th over of each innings there was only one slip in place and a lot of short covers.'' His views were seconded by middle-order batsman Michael Clarke who had a brief inspection of the pitch yesterday.

''I think the pitch is going to be a little bit slow,'' Clarke said.

''It looks a little bit damp, but fingers crossed there's a bit of sunshine,'' he added.

According to Clarke, one end of the pitch was covered with grass while the other end was 'pretty bare'.

Some of Australia's top batsmen have also spoken about how the pitch sometimes makes a bizarre 'clunking' sound when they tap it with their bats.

The nature of the pitch, which is expected to become easy for batting by the fourth day, means spinner Brad Hogg is almost certain to get a place in the playing XI for Australia during the Boxing Day Test.

UNI