With Melbourne, the traditional home of Australia's Boxing Day Test against India facing an upward battle against the global pandemic, Sydney, which has only seen a handful of cases by comparison, made a pitch to host the event instead.
While Adelaide is reportedly ahead in the running for hosting the Test should Melbourne be unable to, the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust's chairman Tony Shepherd figured they'd throw their hat into the ring as well.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Shepherd said, "We'd be very happy to host it because it's a major event and it's good for Sydney, and people like coming to Sydney, and we have the capacity to host it if that's what Cricket Australia want to do."
Should Sydney get the nod, the event will be part of a double-header, with the Sydney Test next in line, which is traditionally played following the Melbourne event.
"A double-header would be fabulous," Shepherd quipped.
Fans to decide Melbourne's fate
Cricket Australia's interim chief executive Nick Hockley cited that Melbourne's chances of hosting the event depended on whether it could allow fans in the stands.
"It comes down to if we can get a crowd at the MCG, we'll play at the MCG," said Hockley on Saturday. He also added that they were 'certainly looking at contingency planning' across the entire summer.
After having their hosting of the T20 World Cup delayed to 2022, the India series is even more critical for Cricket Australia's financial well-being.
As per the Herald, Cricket Australia is going to conduct a meeting sometime during the coming week to discuss the matter.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Parks
