Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney – Ultimate Venue Guide
Oct. 10, 2022
Boundary Dimensions
Boundary Dimensions in metresSCG has long straight boundaries and short square boundaries. Expect pace bowlers to keep it full and vary their pace, and batters to try to mow anything that errs in length over square boundaries, especially if the bowler is bowling from the Paddington End (Northern End), which has the longest boundary to defend (79m).
Venue Decoded
Note: All numbers in BBL since 2017 TR - Tournament Rank Far too often, the problem with stats interpretation in cricket, or any sport for that matter, is that people try to make too many conclusions without considering the limitations of the sample sizes they are working with, as well as the ever-changing nature of players, teams, and even decks.What I would say is that you look at the data while keeping the overall cricketing logic in mind - and if what you observe ticks all the boxes and still makes sense, understand that there is a good chance of a pattern to be mindful of. Also, keep in mind that there is nothing like visuals.Some of the other venue guides we'll be providing you with this World Cup will have direct strong patterns, but SCG is not one of them. While the figures from 2017 indicate that batting becomes easier as the innings progresses, they also show that finger spinners thrived in this venue during the same period. It doesn't add up because if finger spinners are doing well, batting would not become easier as the innings proceeds. As you explore deeper into these figures, some of them will begin to make sense. After struggling to produce high-scoring games between 2017 and 2020, the SCG has now had a run of games in which the average first innings score has surpassed 170.All three major forms of spin bowling averaged less than 30 runs per wicket between 2027 and 2020. However, since 2021, legspinners and off-spinners, while still economical, haven’t found wicket taking easy.
Because it is the World Cup, expect the curators to produce pitches that are more in line with what SCG has seen in last couple of years rather than between 2017 and 2020. As a result, the pitches could be good for batting right away, boundary hitting won't be as difficult as since 2017 average 4s per innings and 6s per innings data suggest, and teams batting first in games that start at regular times won't have as much trouble scoring in the powerplay.Key to success for bowling units: Pace variation Medium pacers who can move the ball up front and vary pace later in the innings have found success.The bowling type that is most likely to be effective: Spin and medium paceSpinners may not be as effective as they were from 2017 to 2020, but they can still keep the scoring rate under control if used wisely. The medium pacers will take the lion's share of the wickets.The bowling type that is most likely to be ineffective: Express paceExpress pace hasn't had a lot of success in SCG.Batting conditions could be improving again:The batting type that is most likely to be effective: good skillset vs spin and ability to power through slow balls. With the lack of pace on the deck in general and short square boundaries, it is one of the decks in Australia where your ability to play pace and bounce will not be seriously tested.
Batting and Bowling Leaders
Only players part of the World Cup have been considered in this section. BattersIn T20s: Aaron Finch 166 (83/148), Matthew Wade 157 (78/162)In T20Is: Virat Kohli 186 (93/148), Matthew Wade 155 (52/165), G Maxwell 151 (30-142)BowlersIn T20s: NoneIn T20Is: Adam Zampa 8W (22/6.9), Josh Hazlewood 7W (5/4.2), Wanindu Hasaranga 5W (14/8.9) Note: All numbers since 2017
Match Split
Batters from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan would be disappointed to play only one league game (at most) at the SCG, as it is one of two venues - along with Adelaide - that would suit their style of play best, with pace and bounce not being as difficult to handle as it could be in Brisbane, Perth, or Melbourne.Capacity: 44000