Cricket Australia has thrown its weight behind the push to save "arguably the most unique pitch in world cricket" after revelations the SCG Trust is considering a drop-in track.
The Trust, prompted by a request from the AFL, has formed a committee to assess the merits of switching to drop-in pitches at a venue which has hosted Test cricket since 1882.
Such a change would require a costly overhaul of the iconic ground, allowing a bigger entrance for drop-in wickets to be trucked in.
However, it's only a matter of time before the Trust lobbies for governments funds to upgrade the Brewongle-Churchill stands and the drop-in switch could form part of that proposal.
The Trust would also have to find somewhere to grow the drop-in pitches in a packed precinct that has come to define Sydney's increasingly heated code war.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan fired off a strongly-worded letter to the Trust earlier this year, having taken up the fight for drop-ins on behalf of SCG tenants Sydney Swans.
Cricket Australia (CA) boss Kevin Roberts has made it clear he will back Cricket NSW counterpart Lee Germon to the hilt.
"Cricket Australia unconditionally supports Cricket NSW in its opposition to drop-in wickets at the SCG," CA chief executive Roberts said.
"The SCG is arguably the most unique pitch in world cricket. For more than a century, the SCG wicket square and its Bulli soil have hosted some of world cricket's greatest contests and served as a nursery for many of the country's best spin bowlers.
"A change is not in the interests of Australian sports fans or SCG members. We are confident the SCG Trust will arrive at the same conclusion when the views of their members are taken into account."
Germon has argued drop-ins will result in "boring" contests that affect crowds but also the development of future players.
"We know we've got the support of the Australian cricket team. Justin Langer and Tim Paine have certainly supported our position," Germon told AAP earlier this week.
"Cricket Australia support us. The Australian Cricketers' Association supports our stance. The fact it has unified the cricket community, it shows that this is the right thing to do. It illustrates we're on the right side of the argument."
Former national keeper Brad Haddin, now Australia's assistant coach, suggested Adelaide Oval's drop-in deck is a "great cricket wicket".
"Technology has come a long way," Haddin said.
"We've seen more (drop-in pitches) over the last few years, that's where the game is going on. AFL is obviously a huge game."
