Cricket fans will notice some big changes at the MCG during the Boxing Day Test

Cricket fans will return to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, but there will be some big changes for punters.

Crowd testing trail happening at the MCG today ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Picture by Wayne Taylor 17th November 2020

Cricket fans heading to the MCG on Boxing Day will sit in every second row for the biggest game of the year with tickets expected to sell out within minutes when they go online.

The Saturday Herald Sun can also reveal the ‘G is also going cashless for the first time, with digital-only ticketing in a further effort to be COVID-safe.

An unprecedented cleaning effort is now underway to have the famous ground ready for the big day, after months of laying vacant.

Peter Wearne, general manager of facilities at the Melbourne Cricket Club, said staff had been busy working on plans to reopen “in line with government restrictions and COVIDSafe protocols”.

“This week, we are pressure washing every single seat and every single aisle to ensure they’re clear of the debris accumulated over the last eight months,” he said.

“The MCG is the people’s ground and it’s not been the same without our members and fans, so we want to make sure it sparkles when we reopen our gates.”

Crowd testing at the MCG ahead of the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Mr Wearne said the Boxing Day Test was “now in sight” and an eight week program to “prepare and ensure infrastructure from lights and kitchen equipment to our 1500 TV screens and scoreboards are operational again” is in full swing.

“As we’re usually a year-round venue, some of these things have never been switched off, so it’s an extensive process just to test everything.”

Plans are being drawn up to sell every second row to the big game, meaning spectators would not have anyone directly in front of them or behind them.

There are also likely to be arrangements in place to block at one or two seats either side of each booking to maintain appropriate buffers between people.

Families will be allowed to sit together, but gaps will be left between them and the next group or single booking that is made online.

This is likely to limit capacity at the ground to about 25,000 people each day.

With fans champing at the bit to get back to sport and watch India take on the Aussies, the Saturday Herald Sun can reveal that the South Australian coronavirus crisis – which eased yesterday – had sparked the potential for two world class test matches to be held at the ‘G this summer.

It is understood contingencies were drawn up for if Adelaide Oval was not ready to host the first test match against India. Picture: Wayne Taylor

It is understood contingencies were drawn up for if Adelaide Oval was not ready to host the first test match against India, scheduled for December 17, and that Victoria was asked if it could host if required.

This would have seen a test match played on December 17 and December 26 in a feast for fans.

However, cricketing authorities were keen to give the South Australian government every chance possible to get their COVID-19 outbreak under control before making a decision to shift the game.

With the SA government announcing on Friday that its lockdown would send today, due to false information provided by an infected patient sparking unnecessary restrictions, it is likely the match will proceed as planned.

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