The Melbourne Cricket Ground is getting ready for a long summer of cricket. After the conclusion of the Australian Football League season, drop-in pitches are being added to the field, so that cricket matches can be played through the season.
Australia have a packed schedule ahead of them as they host India for a white-ball series, England for the Ashes, and the Big Bash League after that. The organisers have already announced that tickets have been sold out for several matches well in advance. The Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, October 9, took to X to post a behind-the-scenes timelapse of how the pitches were being added to the ground.
The MCG: A Stadium for All Seasons
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one of the most iconic multi-purpose stadiums in the world. While it is best known for hosting high-profile cricket matches, including Boxing Day Tests, World Cups, and Big Bash League games, the MCG is equally famous for being the spiritual home of Australian Rules Football (AFL).
During the winter months, the stadium transforms into a fortress for AFL, hosting matches for powerhouse teams like Melbourne, Collingwood, Richmond, and Hawthorn. The oval-shaped layout of the ground makes it ideal for AFL, where the expansive field allows players to move with speed and freedom. From March to September, the MCG is packed with passionate football fans, with some matches drawing over 90,000 spectators.
As the football season wraps up, the ground undergoes a remarkable transformation to host cricket in the summer. The process is swift, efficient, and meticulously planned. Ground staff remove the goalposts and begin re-preparing the outfield. A drop-in pitch, a portable cricket wicket that can be installed and removed, is placed in the centre of the field. This allows the venue to maintain the quality required for international cricket while preserving the surface during the AFL season.
The pitch is cultivated and maintained off-site at a nursery in nearby Port Melbourne and transported to the MCG using special machinery. Once installed, the ground is re-marked with cricket-specific boundary lines, sight screens are erected, and grandstands are adjusted for cricket viewing.
In addition to cricket and AFL, the MCG has also hosted international football matches, rugby union, rugby league, and even concerts, showcasing its versatility. From hosting the 1956 Olympic Games to the 2006 Commonwealth Games, the stadium has a proud history of adapting to various formats and disciplines.
The seamless switch between sports highlights the MCG’s world-class facilities, expert ground staff, and Australia’s deep-rooted love for both cricket and football.
