The Sydney Cricket Ground Trust is willing to host the Brisbane Test too if the Queensland government refuses to allow players traveling from New South Wales.
The northern beaches in Sydney saw the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus earlier this month and Cricket Australia was informed about the critical situation immediately. The Sydney Cricket Ground is scheduled to host the third Test between India and Australia from January 7.
Despite an improvement in the Covid-19 situation in the northern beaches, there is a possibility that Queensland may close its borders with New South Wales. In that case, the players and the broadcasting crew will not be able to travel from NSW to Queensland between the third and the fourth Tests.
Speaking about the situation, Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust chairman Tony Shepherd has offered to host two consecutive Test matches.
“We can run two Tests if necessary, no problems at all,” Tony Shepherd told ‘The Age’.
“We’ve made it very clear to Cricket Australia we’re flexible and would be very, very disappointed to lose the Sydney Test. And that’s with the support of the NSW government,” Shepherd said.
With Sydney becoming a Covid cluster, Melbourne, which is scheduled to host the boxing day Test from December 26, has emerged as a likely venue for the third Test too. However, Cricket Australia has stressed that Sydney remains the favorite to host the third Test.
When the Queensland health department denied Cricket Australia’s request to allow Indian and Australian players returning from the IPL to train while serving their 14-day quarantine in October, NSW had come to their aid.
“Sydney saved the day, the NSW government supported it, NSW is the cricket centre of Australia in terms of participation, players at the elite end and at community level. We have the biggest Indian diaspora in Australia,” Shepherd said.
“The SCG is the most historic ground in Australia, second most historic ground in the world. It’s a special place. The NSW government is very supportive of having the game, and will do everything we can to have it as a success,” Shepherd added.
According to a Queensland government source, they are currently in talks with Cricket Australia but hinted that the state will not review its border closure to Greater Sydney until January 8.
“Our priority is keeping Queenslanders safe and keeping transmission out of our community,” the spokesperson said.
“We have been able to relax internal restrictions sooner than other states because we have been cautious with our borders. Sport and recreation and Cricket Australia are currently in discussions with the Queensland government.”