India Tour of Australia : MCG to host a crowd of 25,000 for Boxing Day Test as CA in talks with the Australian government

India Tour of Australia : MCG to host a crowd of 25,000 for Boxing Day Test as CA in talks with the Australian government

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Australia Captain Tim Paine and India captain Virat Kohli

It looks like even the pandemic was not able to keep the Boxing Day Test at the MCG behind close doors as the government is planning to allow crowd for the encounter. Australia will take on India in the second Test of the series on the prestigious Boxing Day. Melbourne, the country’s most populated city was released from lockdown on Wednesday. The city breathed freely and businesses open for the first time in months yesterday.

Sharing the big news, Victoria state sports minister Martin Pakula adds that the number of viewers is yet to be locked on. But the government is looking to allow only one-fourth of the capacity of the MCG which is 1,00,024. Pakula hints that the number might increase if the situation permits.

“We’ve been really clear with Cricket Australia and the MCG that we’ll make final decisions about numbers closer to the day, depending on the epidemiological situation that abides at the time,” Pakula told reporters.

“At this stage, (25,000) is what we believe would be the safe and appropriate number per day here at the MCG.“

Magic of cricket at the MCG for three more years

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia

Cricket Australia locked in the historic for three more years. In the span, the ground will host numerous domestic as well as an international game. Melbourne Cricket Club Chief Executive Stuart Fox was delighted to break the news. Fox is glad that the prestigious ground will host cricket for three more years. And he is hopeful that it has many more historic feats to witness. He also shares that they are working hard to host the Boxing Day Test in these unprecedented times.

“The MCG began its life as the Melbourne Cricket Club’s home ground in 1838, before moving to its current site in 1853 and has been home to a lot of firsts in the game of cricket from hosting the first-ever Test match in 1877 between Australia and England to the first century scored in Test cricket by Charles Bannerman, to hosting the first-ever one-day international cricket match in January 1971,” Fox said.

“It’s pleasing that Victorian, Australian and international fans will be able to experience the magic of cricket at the MCG for a further three years. Under our new COVIDSafe protocols, we’re working closely with the Victorian Government and Cricket Australia to host this year’s Boxing Day Test at the MCG.”

CA confirmed the dates for India’s upcoming tour Down Under next month on Wednesday. India will be playing a series of 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is and 4 Tests. The tour will be spanning from November 27, 2020 to January 19, 2021.

Also read : India vs Australia: Full schedule announced; Tour begins on November 27, Adelaide to host Day-Night Test