By Peter Ryan
Melbourne’s sporting precinct could become the centre of world sport in the middle of January after the Victorian Government declared the case for the fifth Ashes Test to be played at the MCG as “undeniable”.
Cricket Australia has opened a tender process, which has Melbourne favoured to tip out Hobart and Sydney for the Test, which is scheduled from January 14-18, after deciding to relocate it from Perth because of pandemic-related restrictions.
The timing of the match - which Cricket Australia has declared should be a day-night match - means the final two days of the Ashes series between Australia and England would overlap with the opening two days of the Australian Open, creating a festival of sport in the precinct.
The Victorian Government is using the MCG’s capacity as a selling point. Credit: Christopher Hopkins
The Victorian Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events, Martin Pakula, told The Age the state’s case to hold both the traditional Boxing Day Test and an historic day-night encounter was “an undeniable one”.
He said the MCG’s 100,000 capacity made it impossible for other states to match Victoria in a commercial sense, with Melbourne’s sporting fans certain to show up.
“We have an opportunity to play a day-night Test on the hallowed turf of the MCG for the first time ever – and it will be an Ashes Test to boot,” Pakula said.
“For the players – both the Australians and the touring English team – the opportunity to play a day-night Ashes Test at the ’G is something we don’t think they will want to pass up.
“On whatever level you look at this, and particularly given that the MCG will have had a rest after the Boxing Day Test, the case for this match to be played at the MCG is a very strong one, and we hope that Cricket Australia will see things the same way.”
Cricket Australia is keen to assess the submissions made to host on a range of criteria, including commercial considerations, the COVID-safety protocols, broadcasting needs and the ability to host a day-night Test.
Tasmania has been campaigning to host an Ashes Test for the first time, having lost the Test between Australia and Afghanistan, scheduled for earlier in the year, that was called off due to the political situation in Afghanistan.
Sydney has also made it clear they are keen to host back-to-back Tests in NSW, with the SCG Test starting on January 5.