On Thursday, Cricket Australia announced that the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be a standby venue for the New Year’s Test match to be played in Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This is done in case the COVID-19 situation in Sydney leaves it “untenable” despite efforts being made to continue with the original schedule.
The Northern beaches in Sydney were hit by a fresh wave of Coronavirus cases shrouding the fate of the 3rd Test to be played in SCG from January 7 onwards.
“CA has reaffirmed its commitment to giving it the best chance to play the third Vodafone Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground and the fourth Vodafone Test at the Gabba as per the original schedule,” CA said in a statement.
“Should the public health situation in NSW render playing in Sydney untenable, CA’s preferred contingency plan is to work with the Victorian Government to play the third Vodafone Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground followed by the fourth Vodafone Test at the Gabba,” it added.
A final decision on the third Test venue would be made during the Boxing Day Test.
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Though the situation in Northern beaches has improved, there are concerns about the Queensland government granting much-needed exemptions, leaving the players and broadcasting crew unable to travel from Sydney to Brisbane for the fourth Test match.
“We are working constructively with the Queensland Government and have been encouraged by the positive nature of discussions with them. We thank the Queensland Government for their support. The record testing numbers and the drop in new community transmissions in NSW have provided cause for optimism, however, if the situation in Sydney deteriorates, we have strong contingency plans in place,” CA interim chief executive officer Nick Hockley said.
CEO Stuart Fox said that Melbourne Cricket Club was ready to host back-to-back Tests, but would like Sydney to retain its traditional New Year’s Test match.
“I’ve been in touch with Cricket Australia daily and our position has been, we would love to see the Sydney Test Match stay in Sydney, it’s no fun having it relocated. We’re ready to go if we’re needed, but again, if that Test can get away in Sydney, it’s such an iconic Test, very traditional, and an important sporting moment in Australian sport so let’s hope it gets away, I’d hate to see it moved,” Fox said to SEN Radio.
In a bid to save its New Year fixture, NSW on Wednesday had offered to host the Brisbane Test as well, if the Queensland government refuses to grant exemptions to the teams returning from Sydney.
“I don’t think a decision is pending today, probably the strategy would be to delay and see where the Sydney numbers get to. Obviously, there’s a lot to think about with staffing, preparing another pitch, and ticket sales, so we’re in a position, we’re ready to go, but again, let’s hope it stays in Sydney,” Fox said.
(PTI inputs)
