
Amidst the fresh outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Sydney, which is the intended venue for the third Test between India and Australia, the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has emerged as the main backup venue for the game in case Sydney is not able to host the match. Cricket Australia (CA) is still hopeful of staging the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as scheduled, but if it becomes impossible due to the new COVID-19 cluster in New South Wales, they could be forced to change the venue.
While stating that they are still committed to the original schedule, CA added that "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 Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, followed by the fourth one at the Gabba."
Currently, both the Indian and the Australian contingent are in Melbourne preparing for the Boxing Day Test. While the third and the fourth Test are originally slated to be played at the SCG and the Gabba, fresh Coronavirus cases in the northern beaches of Sydney in the past week or so have forced CA to forge a backup plan. Meanwhile, the border restrictions imposed by the local authorities have made things difficult for cricket's governing body in Australia.
Speaking on the same, CA Interim CEO Nick Hockley said that a final call will be taken only during the Boxing Day Test. If Sydney does manage to retain the third Test, CA has made necessary requisitions that would allow the players, media staff, broadcasters, and match officials to move safely from Sydney to Brisbane for the fourth and the final Test, in case New South Wales remains under lockdown during that point of time.
"We have always maintained that scheduling a full summer of cricket during a global pandemic would require agility, problem-solving, and teamwork like never before," Hockley said. "We continue to place the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved as our number one priority.
"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. We are working constructively with the Queensland Government and have been encouraged by the positive nature of discussions with them," he signed off.
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