Security has been beefed up for Monday’s Boxing Day Test between Pakistan and Australia after seven people got arrested while allegedly planning to attack Melbourne’s St. Paul’s Cathedral, Flinders Street and Federation Square on the Christmas Day.
Australia’s cricket governing body Cricket Australia (CA) stated the safety and security of players, officials and fans has always been their number one priority.
The terror-related plan was busted after a series of raids across the city when Daesh-inspired men were planning to target central Melbourne city, Police said.
CA further added the team is closely monitoring the situation with security officials and local police for the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
CA, administration and police officials are also coordinating over proper security levels for different cricket matches across the city.
“Our security team is in contact with the relevant authorities to ensure we have the appropriate level of security at the Boxing Day Test and other cricket matches being held around the country,” CA chief executive James Sutherland said.
It’s pertinent to mention the Melbourne Cricket Ground is at a short distance from where terror plot was planned.
Chief Victoria Police Commissioner Graham Ashton said the detained plotters were planning to use guns and knives at the busiest markets in the city before expressing his satisfaction over the deployment of police after terror threat was foiled.
“We know there’s lot of events on over the next several days right across our state, including the Boxing Day test, Christmas carols, other events that are on. There is no intelligence to suggest there is any threat whatsoever in relation to any of those events. However, we’re just making sure we’re taking those extra precautions,” Ashton said.
In a security-bid in 2015, the MCG administration erected new fence about 25 meters away from the stadium which has to be passed by spectators before occupying the seats on the stands of the stadium.
It’s expected the MCG will draw a massive crowd as high as 100,000 on the Boxing Day Test.