MM News

MELBOURNE: Sydney will remain the venue for Australia’s third test against India next month despite the COVID-19 outbreak in the city’s northern beach suburbs, Cricket Australia (CA) said.

Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales (NSW) reported three new cases on Tuesday but CA decided against changing the venue.

“We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country,” CA’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.

“To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year’s Test at the SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground). “We are confident that both this match, and the fourth test in Brisbane, will play out in a safe and successful manner.”

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant stated that a 50% capacity crowd was still plausible so long as masks were worn. “We will be handing out masks on public transport going into the SCG, and advising people to wear masks when they are not physically at their seat,” she said.

“We’re looking at some of aspects of the mixing, but seated outdoor poses less risk than people perhaps gathering in households to look at the Test. We are looking over the plans as we speak to ensure that we can strengthen all elements.”

The NSW government also announced a significant tightening of restrictions on activities allowed in greater Sydney for New Year’s Eve.

Australia’s vice-captain Pat Cummins said that the plans to go from Melbourne to Sydney to Brisbane would likely make life still tougher for members of the squad who have not seen family members for some months.

The Melbourne Cricket Ground was kept on standby to host back-to back matches against India, who won the traditional Boxing Day test at the MCG by eight wickets on Tuesday.

Both teams will remain in Melbourne over New Year before traveling to Sydney on January 4. The four-test series is level at 1-1 ahead of the third match in Sydney starting on January 7.