Spin legend Shane Warne has called for the next Boxing Day Test of the Australian summer between India and the hosts to be retained at its traditional venue, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Cricket Australia (CA) is set to confirm the fixtures for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in coming days and it is feared that the iconic MCG will miss out, with the state of Victoria experiencing a growing number of COVID-19 positive cases. 

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Given the need to create bio-bubble environment for the safe conduct of the series, CA wouldn't want to leave anything to fate and keep players' security as the top-most priority. 

Warne, however, made a passionate plea to the authorities in favour of another MCG fixture from December 26 to 30. 

"Cricket is the 2nd biggest sport in the world behind soccer(fact) & the biggest day on the Aust sporting calendar is the Boxing Day test. We must try & do everything possible to keep it at the MCG this year. FYI- The Melb Cup & the AFL GF are the next biggest events in Aust !," he wrote over Twitter. 

According to a PTI report, "Indian cricket team's much-anticipated tour will begin with a Day/Night Test either in Adelaide or Brisbane instead of favoured Perth after Western Australia state government made it clear that there won't be any relaxation in quarantine guidelines in their territory."

Speculations are that Adelaide could replace Melbourne as host of the Boxing Day Test. Sydney as well had put its hat in the ring just in case CA opts for back to back arrangement at the venue, including the New Year's Test from January 3-7. 

India's visit may see some limited-overs matches preceding the four-Test series.