Sydney has the potential to evolve into a bigger cluster than the Australian batting line-up, so when the NSW skipper raises the microphone you’d better listen.
Household gatherings limited to five visitors, yep, that’s sayonara backyard cricket unless you’re at the Waugh residence.
And those on the northern beaches, keep spinning those Manly premiership discs and zip the backchat or you’ll get another week.
Tough love, tough leadership. Just another day in the pandemic life of State Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Still spewing the new year’s harbour madness awash with swamp donkeys was cut, never mind, the follow-on wasn’t enforced and the party relocated to the Sydney Cricket Ground.
True, but capped at 19,000, because that’s safer than outdoor get-togethers of 30 and the wildly ridiculous 50 of almost a week ago.
Hang on, is that still you Gladys? Sounds more like Peter Nevill – NSW Sheffield Shield skipper.
No, it’s Gladys and if you don’t think this is serious, how about squeezing into a packed hall and getting both nostrils swabbed.
We’re in this together, the Sydney Test is worth more than $100 million to the economy. We can’t afford another Test in Melbourne, we’re in this together.
Look, if I could give everyone a lift to the game in the safety of my luxury car I would, but free masks last longer and hide months of torment.
Hotspots?
Yes, we’re not all privileged to reside in pristine suburbs, but thanks to postcodes and the honesty of would-be attendees, those less fortunate will be turned away at the gate.
And the couch isn’t so bad, the TV networks face the same predicament where unfortunates like Shane Warne have been excluded from the State let alone the venue.
Sure, another Test in front of 30,000 screaming Victorian’s isn’t an atmosphere we can replicate. But know this, an empty stadium was considered before the more palatable option of no cheering unless seated was decided.
What about the borders, people are more interested in getting away than attending cricket?
Well that’s up to them, the resilience of NSW contact-tracing systems is world-class and when border restrictions eventually fall into line with our protocols, those with the virus will be trackable from Sydney to anywhere including Perth and Brisbane.
So whether the backyard’s choccas on January 7 or not, it’s all roads to the SCG?
Good Lord, yes. There’s no such thing as guilty pleasures in times like these. And can I just say this, whether it’s business or sport our government is about unity and consistency.
Welcome home Steve Smith, it’s time to burst the bubble.
Davico
Roar Pro
Maybe what you believe constitutes murder is different to me??
2dogz
Roar Rookie
That’s when Michael Jordan took it personally! Should have gone for the kill :silly:
Dean F
Guest
She's given it the all clear. Safe to attend.
Austy
Guest
How about a 10000 crowd limit. All under cover (easily done with the stated capacity), appropriately spaced seat allocation and zoned for the wet weather provision? Tickets to green zone residents ie rural NSW and as a thanks to our front line workers only who kept this state rolling through bushfires and pandemic. We know for a fact that the Sydney test is highly anticipated and is attended by many non metropolitan residents of the state who look forward to this match as a key social event. Additional measures with a greatly reduced crowd would be temperature screening on entry (as we do at airports regularly with even higher numbers) AND ensuring that all hospitality and SCG staff are covid cleared prior to working at the venue. Good for the state from a covid point. Good for the mental health of those "invitees" and alleviates the paranoia of some commentators hereabouts who think there is some sick kind of political game at play.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
As of today the crowd limit is 2000 per day including players, staff, and ground workers. Doesn’t leave much left for the crowd, will look great on television. What a fantastic decision by CA considering the alternatives that were available to them at the time.
JGK
Roar Guru
Nailed it.
John Biddle
Guest
Davico, leaving and missing the last ball makes for a better story than if you'd stayed and seen it, if that's any consolation. At least your uncle wasn't Alan McGillivray, who (despite being employed by the ABC to commentate on the game) decided the game was clearly going to be a WI win and chose to take an early flight back to Sydney, missing the end of the first tied Test.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Done
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks Mooty, let’s call it even.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
My apologies Jason I should have realised I am naive, living in a fantasy world and have a totally sheltered life. Who better to inform me of this than a “Guru” whatever that is meant to mean. If you really are an exceptional writer, you would’ve used far better arguments rather than just try to denigrate someone
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
So you only like political involvement in sport when it’s convenient for your sheltered life. The fact Adelaide and the SA govt in conjunction with CA gave first class cricket the opportunity to start the season counts for nothing in your eyes. Sounds like your only concern is the big $$ end of cricket, nothing wrong with that, but please spare us your naive sentiment.
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Please pray tell me what advantage South Australia got by hosting the first rounds of the Shield, with no spectators and only occasional highlights on the nightly news. You compare that to Sydney hosting the third Test, which will be televised live not just here but worldwide, including cricket crazy India, a country of over a billion people. As I said in an earlier post this Test should have been played elsewhere then a reassessment done particularly in light of the latest Covid numbers. Politics at the expense of the general population
Gee
Roar Rookie
Looks like half the Indian squad have said "bollocks to rules, lets eat out".
Brian
Guest
Why she would just continue in the job like Dan Andrews has
Brian
Guest
Who knows what promises were made but every other state refused to let the Indians in. They were supposed to go to SA before their shutdown, and then both SA & Qld refused to let them in. NSW govt allowed the whole tour to proceed.
Davico
Roar Pro
If you take a look I was not the one having a go at someones writing!
Davico
Roar Pro
Is that you mitcher under another name?
Mooty
Roar Rookie
Where do you get off writing that garbage reply to a “guest” Do you think you’re the greatest writer of all time
Rabbitz
Roar Guru
For those bagging Gladys, and the Lord knows I am usually one of them, you need to keep in mind that she has next to zero say in this. For years a place on the SCG Trust board (and the newly expandd and named "Venues NSW" board) has been a lucrative little plum of a 'thank you' for the power-brokers and political shills in NSW. For Gladys to move against the wishes of this powerful bloc would be akin to having a political death-wish. She is already on thin ice with both her factional opponents and the public. So in keeping with true NSW political machinations, what does it matter if they allow a super-spreader event and a few get sick and an even smaller number die, when political careers and factional divides must be maintained?
JGK
Roar Guru
Vale Uncle Brian. A man who loved his cricket but just didn’t quite love it enough!