The Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Western Australia at the MCG was suspended on the opening day due to concerns over a dangerous pitch less than three weeks before the Boxing Day Test.

The umpires took the players off in the 40th over with Western Australia 3 for 89, following discussions with the players and head groundsman Matt Page, after the batsmen had taken a series of blows to the body with deliveries leaping unpredictably off a length. It was a unanimous view among both teams that the conditions weren't fit to continue.

After the umpires and match referee gave the groundstaff time to roll the pitch and for it to dry under the sun the decision was taken to abandon the opening day's play with the aim of attempting to resume the match on Sunday. It is understood the major concern centered around the pitch being too soft with the ball creating divots which led to the the dangerously uneven bounce.

Play has been suspended indefinitely at the MCG due to a dangerous pitch

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The MCG pitch has been the focus of much debate in recent years with a lifeless surface for the 2017-18 Ashes Test earning the ground a 'poor' rating from the ICC which put them on notice of formal sanctions. Last year's pitch against India was again slow, and given an 'average' rating, but the visiting attack managed to take 20 wickets to comfortably beat Australia.

There have been extensive attempts to bring more pace and bounce back to the pitch, as well as natural wear as the game progresses, and the surface for the Shield match against Queensland earlier this season earned positive reviews for being a good contest.

The pitch being used for this game is not the Test surface which is set to be the adjacent surface.

If it isn't possible for the match to continue and it is abandoned the points would be split between the two teams.