Steve Smith is upbeat that the SCG pitch will offer value for batsmen, bowlers and fans.

Coach Darren Lehmann was critical of the Sydney strip last year, when his side strolled to a 281-run win over England on the third day.

“Words would get me in trouble here. It’s disappointing. Last year was the same (the Test against Sri Lanka lasted four days),” Lehmann said after Australia sealed a 5-0 Ashes win.

“Finishing in three days is disappointing for the crowd more than anything else.”

Smith, speaking a day before the final fixture of Australia’s four-Test series against India starts at the SCG, was hopeful a repeat wasn’t on the cards.

“It looks pretty good at this stage,” Smith said.

“There’s a lot less grass than there was on the wicket last year, which seamed around a bit and played a few tricks.”

SCG curator Tom Parker suggested the pitch for this week’s Test was “probably not as green as last year”.

“It’s a traditional SCG pitch. I’m very happy with it,” Parker said.

“A typical Test pitch I’d say.

“I’m hoping we’ll see some nice bounce in the pitch … and it’ll always turn at the SCG.”

Mitchell Johnson recently aired concerns about the lack of life in wickets this Test series, but Smith suggested the pitches in Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne had been acceptable.

“It would have been nice to have the MCG pitch break up a little bit more last week, but I don’t think you can control that,” Smith said.

“It was probably more a weather thing.

“This wicket out here looks a bit drier and looks like it might spin a little bit in the second innings and take a bit of reverse-swing.”