A crowd at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test has all but been guaranteed by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews as the state’s coronavirus restrictions were significantly eased.
After more than four months of a hard lockdown, Melbourne will start to open up after no COVID-19 cases were recorded in Victoria on Monday.
Cricket Australia is yet to lock in its international schedule for this summer which is highlighted by a blockbuster four-Test series against India.
Premier Andrews said restrictions being lifted meant it was too late for crowds to attend next month’s Melbourne Cup, but not for the biggest day in Australian cricket.
“The Boxing Day Test of course is very different because that is some way off,” he told reporters.
“I am very confident that we will get a crowd at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test.
“I don’t know how big it will be but there will be a crowd, that’s the advice that I have, that’s what we’re working towards.”
More than 80,000 people attended day one of last year’s Boxing Day Test as Australia crushed New Zealand.
In 2018 – the last time Virat Kohli’s India toured Australia – 73,516 fans were on hand at the MCG for day one.
The NSW government has signed off on Cricket Australia’s quarantine proposal, with an updated schedule for India’s tour expected to be finalised soon.
© AAP
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
While a premature retirement isn’t the solution, he or England want, he may be forced into it if he can’t maintain a long run of matches.
Check out some of the short-arm pull shots from Rocky Flintoff!
Harshal Patel was not a happy man!
David Lord has been remembered as an icon of Australian sports journalism following his death, aged 84. The renowned writer and broadcaster was an…
Sign the man up for a contract next season!
A brutal century by Travis Head has blasted Sunrisers Hyderabad back into the Indian Premier League play-off places in another match for bowlers to…
