Cricket Australia Confirms 3rd Test In Sydney Will Be Held As Scheduled

Dec 29, 2020 at 7:13 PM

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Cricket Australia Confirms 3rd Test In Sydney Will Be Held As Scheduled

Cricket Australia has confirmed the third Vodafone Test will be played in Sydney as scheduled, with the final Test match to follow in Brisbane. Sydney will host the third Test against 2nd Test winners India after Cricket Australia officials deemed the threat of a COVID19 outbreak in the city had subsided enough to allow the match to proceed.

An outbreak of coronavirus in Sydney’s northern beaches before Christmas had put the officials on high alert, and the Melbourne Cricket Ground was placed as a standby venue to held potentially host back-to-back Test matches.

Cricket Australia And BCCI
Cricket Australia And BCCI

Cricket Australia Remains On Track To Ensure International Series Going On As Scheduled

MCG had not hosted two consecutive Tests in summer since December 1981, as the ground where Australia lost this summer’s Boxing Day Test by eight wickets will now instead turn its attention to a series of KFC Big Bash League matches in January.

Complicating the hosting decision was the closure of the Queensland border for anyone coming from the greater Sydney area which subsequently put events, broadcast and media contingents in jeopardy as well as the Australia and India players participating in Test series.

Nick Hockley
Nick Hockley

Nick Hockley, Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, said that health advice from the New South Wales Government and collaboration with both the NSW and Queensland Governments helped make the decision.

“Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men’s international series as scheduled,” Hockley said.

“We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes.

“To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year’s Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play.”

“We are confident that both this match, and the fourth Test in Brisbane, will play out in a safe and successful manner and thus round out what has been a magnificent men’s international program this summer. We are very grateful to the Queensland Government for their willingness to work with us to deliver the series as planned in a manner that places the safety and wellbeing of the players, officials, staff and the wider community as its top priority. In response to the public health situation in NSW and the requirements of the Queensland Government, CA will put in place appropriate biosecurity measures and we thank all players, staff and broadcasters for their cooperation to play the matches safely.

Sydney Test has gained a lot of significance with the next two Tests deciding the fate of the series as Cricket Australia has put in efforts and bio-secure measures to ensure that the series goes on. Over the last few years, the New Year Test at the SCG has gained popularity and many experts call it “The Pink Test”. Cricket Australia are grateful to the Queensland Government for their willingness to work in tandem with the governing body of Australian cricket.

Sydney’s New Year Test Is Known As Pink Test

Sydney’s New Year’s Test has been known as the ‘Pink Test’ in recent years and is one of the major fundraisers for the McGrath Foundation, a breast cancer support and education charity set up by former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath, whose first wife Jane died after contracting the disease.

Glenn McGrath
Glenn McGrath. Credits: AFP

Last summer, the Pink Test in its 12th year of existence raised more than $1.2 million for the charity, and Glenn McGrath welcomed news the tradition would continue.

“We are thrilled the Vodafone Pink Test will still take place at the SCG. It is the home of the Pink Test and the spirit and support of the crowd at the SCG have become a huge part of the Pink Test atmosphere over the past 12 years,” McGrath said in a statement.

“In the coming days, we will be announcing our new exciting digital initiative for this year’s Pink Test, which will mean people can get involved, no matter whether they are in the stadium or watching from home.”

The first time Sydney hosted the Pink Test was way back in 2009 when Australia played South Africa. So far, the tradition has continued in the last 10 years with the Australia-India game set to be the 11th Test.

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