Cricket Australia (CA) has doubled its efforts to keep cricket at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) with the governing body eager to retain the Thunder and Sixers' home games in Sydney. CA confirmed on Tuesday night that the New Year's Test will still be played in Sydney and is now working to ensure Big Bash games also remain in the city.
The Big Bash will see its first Sydney home game on January 13 with a local derby at the Thunder's Olympic Park home ground. Seven more Big Bash games are to follow across the Sydney Showgrounds and the Sixers' home ground, the SCG, before the finals.
CA confirmed on 30 December that the games are going ahead as planned with crowds set to be reduced to 50 per cent of capacity. Whether the Sixers or the Thunder will be able to host a home finals match is yet to be determined. The news comes after 18 new local cases were reported on Wednesday in NSW.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the third Test match was safe to proceed at the SCG on 7 January with a 50 per cent capacity because it was not a confined space. "The best health advice tells us outdoor, ticketed, seated events are safer than household gatherings, and that's just a fact," she said.
Sixers star Jack Edwards said it would be disappointing if his side was unable to play at the SCG, but believes the squad is ready for a last-minute change if required. "For us, I think it's just about getting on with the job," he said. "Our team is very flexible in that regard."
John Stephenson
john@cricketinvestor.co.uk
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