Melbourne: After the first day's play between Victoria and West Australia in the ongoing Sheffield Shield competition was abandoned, Cricket Australia on Saturday said that it will work closely with the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) staff to ensure the best possible wicket is prepared for the Boxing Day Test against New Zealand.

Several batsmen were hit by rising deliveries when umpires finally decided to suspend the play after Western Australia reached 89/3 after 40 overs less than an hour into the second session.