Melbourne, Apr.30 : Cricket Victoria has declared the cricket pitch at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the worst in Australia.

The state's governing body for cricket, which is in the midst of negotiations that could have international games moved from the game's traditional home, has also accused the Melbourne Cricket Club of a "born-to-rule mentality".

Cricket Victoria chairman Geoff Tamblyn has turned up the pressure on the famous ground's landlord, whose agreement to host international cricket expires after the coming summer.

He suggested that the Bushrangers - who do not have a representative in the current Test squad - struggle to produce Australian players because they play on "the worst wicket in the country".

MCG pitches last season were criticised by Australian captain Ricky Ponting and state skippers.

After the resignation of curator Richard Winter, the MCC hired Cam Hodgkins - credited with reviving Bellerive Oval - to review pitch preparation with arenas manager Tony Ware.

"(David) Hussey, he's about the only one that has really mastered the wickets there. All the captains have been highly critical. The captain of Australia was so critical, it was embarrassing," The Age quoted Tamblyn, as saying.

MCC chief executive Stephen Gough last night said the grass issues behind the pitch problems had been addressed.

The Age has revealed that international games could be put to tender if Cricket Victoria could not strike a more favourable commercial deal with the MCC.

Telstra Dome boss Ian Collins has voiced a desire to host "all or some" matches, raising the possibility of a split between Test and limited-overs cricket.

ANI