SCG curator Adam Lewis and his team are preparing for the fifth Ashes Test between Australia and England with the aim of creating a surface that will allow for the full five-day competition, despite the increased scrutiny that followed the two-day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground earlier this summer. While Lewis admits there are some nerves ahead of the game, he insists no pressure affects their approach as they work on a balanced field.
The series finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground is expected to start on a pitch with around six millimeters of grass, compared to the 10 millimeters left on the surface at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test. Lewis said the grass was slightly smaller than that used for last summer’s three-day SCG Test.
“We took our learnings from last year,” Lewis said. “Maybe it’s a bit too much on the first day. We’re always nervous at this time of year. This is our big final. We work for months before preparing for the Test.”
Lewis said his team remains focused on ensuring a fair match between bat and ball, with the only factor beyond their control being the weather.
“We’re just excited to get there. The only thing we can’t control is the weather. We’re just trying to set up a pitch that’s going to be a great balance for bat and ball,” he said.
On Thursday, photographs circulating of a visibly green SCG pitch raised fears that the match could be shortened if the conditions heavily favored the bowlers. But Lewis downplayed those concerns.
“They’re saying (there’s going to be) a little more sun tomorrow, so that’s going to take the green off the course. We’re really happy with the course at the moment,” he said.
Lewis also responded to criticism stemming from previous tests, stressing that the presence of live grass three days before the start of a match was normal and necessary.
“You want to see a green tint in three days,” Lewis said. “If you don’t see any live grass out there for three days (there’s a problem). I’m really comfortable with where we’re sitting.”
He added that he deliberately avoids outside noise and media commentary ahead of a Test match.
“To be perfectly honest with you, I don’t listen to the media,” Lewis said. “I haven’t read the paper. I try to stay away from all that. I’m a real positive person. I’ve got to keep my team positive. I’m just trying to make it as enjoyable as possible for the guys. We want it to be a five-day Test.”
Recalling previous Ashes matches at the SCG, Lewis recalled the drawn fifth Test in 2023 as one of his most memorable experiences.
“One of my most memorable (matches) was the last Ashes (at the SCG),” he said. “On the fifth day I sat and watched Steve Smith bowl for the last time. Now we didn’t get a result that year, but it was one of the best Test matches I’ve seen. I’ll never forget it.”
Curators across Australia were subjected to intense scrutiny after a series of short tests, including tests An MCG surface that was later rated as “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council. Lewis offered his sympathies to Melbourne curator Matt Page and his team.
“We’re gutted for Matty and his entire team,” Lewis said. “It’s something we don’t plan. We’re trying to prepare a surface that’s great for everyone. We want the players to control the game.”
“Mate, I feel for him. 21 minutes ahead of you guys, it’s pretty daunting. Hopefully we can finish early today,” he added.
Lewis also revealed that he reached out to Page after his press conference, which was broadcast live on the third day of the abandoned Test.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
January 2, 2026
