T20 World Cup 2022: Will the big dimensions of MCG get England's batters into trouble?

Alex Hales, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Moen Ali, Ben Stokes, Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, and Chris Woakes can clear the boundaries. And this is the entirety of their batting order. 

It's one of the reasons they can play a highly attacking and aggressive game from the off – they know that if one big hitter is dismissed, another can and will come to take his place. 

But will this big hitting be compromised at the Melbourne Cricket Ground? The 'G', as it is known locally, is a stadium that is quite massive in its dimensions. 

That this is the case even when the boundary ropes are being pulled in even more to give spectators more sixes is commendable. But it also means batters have to work harder for their big shots. 

One side of the mid-wicket boundary at the MCG is 84 meters in length. Given that area is favoured by many power hitters, it can disadvantage the Englishman. 

Indeed, their batters will have to use a lot of their power to regularly clear that particular part of the stadium. But that isn't the only area that will trouble batters. 

The straight boundary and the area on the other side of the mid-wicket region are around 76 meters too. As for the square boundaries? They come in at about 75 meters in length.

So, it is clear that the batters won't find it easy to clear the fences at the MCG. And the more extensive boundaries will ensure that the spinners stay in the game during the middle overs.

But does this put England's game at risk? Not really. 

Yes, they will have to focus more on running. Indeed, how the team fares with the running between the wickets could well determine how the side does in the match. 

It is also worth noting that England can run even three if they are smart with their shot selection during the middle overs. 

But it won't compromise their game – especially if their players get set. Remember, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales could clear the straight boundaries during the semi-final against India. 

And while the Adelaide Oval's square boundary is small, the straight ones are massive – with Jos Buttler even hitting a 100m six down the ground at one point. 

Yet the fact that he could clear that part of the boundary not once but twice showed that the team buys into the aggressive nature of their batting – regardless of the conditions. 

Yes, the team might lose a wicket or two going for the big shots. But they bat deep enough to ensure they don't need to be overly mindful of the boundary lengths. 

They will still be going for the big shots as often as possible, and the scary part of this equation? That they will, more often than not, actually clear the ropes.