NSW and Trust act on SCG surface

Cricket NSW and the SCG Trust have announced an action plan to address dangerous playing surface concerns at the historic venue following the abandonment of the Blues' Sheffield Shield match against Victoria.

Victoria was awarded six points and New South Wales none after their Sheffield Shield clash at the SCG was abandoned due to unsafe conditions.

The match was called off on Sunday when umpires deemed the surface surrounding the centre wicket was unsafe for play.

With SCG officials scrambling to resurface the troubled ground in a bid to be ready for the New Year's Test and NSW's next Shield clash with Tasmania being shifted to Bankstown Oval, the Trust and state body on Tuesday night revealed a number of commitments.

These include a revised protocol for field-of-play inspections ahead of first-class or international fixtures and an updated post-match review process.

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As well, there will be a thorough review of the Trust's AFL-to-cricket transition plan, including input from Cricket NSW and Cricket Australia, and a study of world's best practice.

Also announced is a joint working party to manage Cricket NSW's training needs, with the ultimate goal of producing a new practice facilities plan.

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Aaron Finch holds a piece of the SCG turf during the match // Getty

Cricket NSW chairman John Warn said the state body had a long and proud tradition at the Sydney Cricket Ground, one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world.

"Cricket NSW is keen to enhance that tradition by working closely with the SCG Trust to ensure that the playing surface and training facilities are of world-class standard.

"It was disappointing that the recent Sheffield Shield match against Victoria had to be abandoned after match officials ruled the playing surface unsafe ... Cricket NSW and the SCG Trust have had positive discussions about how to achieve and maintain the high standards required for first class and international cricket," Warn said.

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Trust chairman Tony Shepherd said: "Without cricket, there is no Sydney Cricket Ground and, recent challenges aside, it remains the home of the sport in NSW.

"Cricket NSW's commitment to excellence can be seen in the vast numbers of Australian players produced and the record 46 Sheffield Shield wins.

"They expect that same standard of excellence at their home ground and the Trust will work closely with Cricket NSW to ensure that this is the case," Shepherd said.

Cricket NSW and the Trust said they were looking forward to the SCG being in excellent condition for the return of Sheffield Shield cricket on 27 November when NSW plays Queensland, as well as the KFC Big Bash League and international matches to follow.

But NSW captain Moises Henriques said he believed it was harsh for the Blues to lose six points to Victoria as a result of the abandoned game.

Henriques felt the rule which led to Victoria being awarded maximum points wasn't meant for the circumstances that eventuated at the SCG and was more for later in the season when home teams were tempted to prepare surfaces to advantage them and deprive visiting sides of getting vital points.

He felt conditions at the SCG weren't ideal but neither where they horrible, adding he thought the game could have continued.

"The penalty might be a bit harsh at this time, the second game of the season," Henriques said on Wednesday.

"But I guess there has to be a line and the rules were there before the game, so you've got to adhere to those."

On Monday, CA Head of Operations Sean Cary said while he understood NSW were disappointed, the decision made by the match officials was not taken lightly.  

"I have looked into the matter here today and believe that we have no other option under the Cricket Australia Playing Conditions, other than to award the six points to Victoria," he said. 

On Monday, Cricket Australia said it was confident the SCG would be fit and ready to host the New Year's Test against the West Indies starting on January 3.

"The Sydney Test is two months away. We have every confidence they will get the playing surface right for that match," Cary said.