MCG may miss out on Boxing Day test

Test cricket’s oldest venue, the MCG, is in danger of losing it’s traditional Boxing Day Test this year due to a delay in reconstruction ahead of the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Cricket Victoria have acted swiftly in offering the Telstra Dome as an alternative venue to the much loved MCG.

The long delay in redevelopment was caused due to more than 120mm of rain in the past two weeks turning the once green surface into mud.

However, the MCG’s curator, Tony Ware, was confident that the ground would be ready in time for the Australia versus Pakistan Test, which starts in 7 weeks time. "We lost a few days (work) last week with wet weather," he said. "We are ahead in some areas, we are behind in some areas, on balance we are about where we thought we should be."

Stephen Gough, the Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive added "I think we're okay, but in all good planning arrangements you've got to have a back up, and Cricket Australia and Cricket Victoria certainly wanted to have that if something went wrong,"

A decision regarding the suitability of the ground will not be made for some weeks.


Posted by Alex