Perth Curator Rejects Michael Vaughan’s Claim Of Australia Seeking A Dry Pitch For Ashes Opener

With Australia missing two of their premier fast bowlers, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, due to injury, former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested the hosts might consider preparing a drier pitch to bring off-spinner Nathan Lyon into the contest. Posting on X after news broke of Cummins and Hazlewood being ruled out, Vaughan wrote, “I just wonder if Australia will now attempt to make a dry track to make sure Lyon is hugely in the game.” His remark also came amid England boasting express pacers Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, both capable of exploiting the traditionally fast and bouncy Optus Stadium surface. However, Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) chief curator Isaac McDonald has dismissed Vaughan’s theory, insisting there has been no pressure from the Australian camp to alter the pitch in their favour. “There have been absolutely no directives from anyone ever … that just doesn’t happen,” McDonald told The Roar. “Low and slow? I think it’s just not possible. The West Test is pace and bounce, and that’s what we’re going to stick to.” McDonald said he has taken lessons from last summer’s Test against India, when 17 wickets fell on the opening day on a seaming pitch that later flattened out. Despite India posting only 150 in the first innings, Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spell kept them in the contest and helped the visitors secure a 1–0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Looking ahead to the Ashes opener starting Friday, November 21, McDonald indicated the pitch will retain the natural traits of the old WACA surface, though without the excessive seam movement seen early in the most recent Test at Optus Stadium. “The curator, no matter what the outcome of the game, always reflects,” McDonald said, admitting he may have underprepared the surface for the India Test. “On reflection there, maybe I was a day late on the prep. We’ve knuckled down, and we’ve started a day early to ensure that firmness is there, and the characteristics of our WACA pitch – pace and bounce – are going to be more than prominent.”