Brollies, masks at the ready as lucky few claim their seats at Sydney Test

As the final stragglers wandered through the turnstiles of Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the first ball of Australia‘s third Test match against India the drizzle started to rain.

Fans arrive well covered in masks and rain gear. Picture: Nikki Short

As the final stragglers wandered through the turnstiles of the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of the first ball of Australia‘s third Test match against India, the drizzle started.

With blue skies quickly turning grey, umbrellas popped open and ponchos were dragged out, with some unlucky cricket-goers set to sit in the rain as per the new COVID-19 restrictions.

Yet even the rain couldn’t elicit many complaints, because these were the lucky few who were able to secure tickets after event ­organisers dramatically reduced the crowd numbers to just 25 per cent.

Mask-less faces were few and far between, with COVID-19 safe marshals asking people to mask up from as far off as the Moore Park light rail tram stop opposite the stadium, along with police patrolling the grounds.

For all but a disgruntled few who thought the masks were “over the top”, most were willing and happy to comply, acknowledging it was a “necessary ­precaution” for the event to go ahead.

Margaret Dibbs, 89, a 70-year SCG member, arrives. Picture: Nikki Short

For 89-year old Margaret Dibbs, forcing people to wear masks enabled her to feel safe ­attending the event that she has been waiting for all year.

A 70-year life member of the SCG, she had a hip operation earlier in the year and it was the promise of attending the Sydney Test that helped her through her recovery.

“When I was sitting in the hospital bed delirious and the nurses asked me what I wanted to do when I got better, all I said was ‘Go to the cricket!’ ”

The quieter atmosphere reminded Ms Dibbs of when she used to watch Don Bradman play after school.

“I used to walk over from Sydney High and come and sit at the top of the MA Noble stand at four o’clock, alone, and watch the cricket,” Ms Dibbs said.

But in a Test unlike in any other year, some things still never change.

Hot pink shirts dotted the crowd, with many still opting to wear pink to raise money for the McGrath Foundation.

While masks were new, the familiar scenes of summer Test cricket remained, with spectators donning wide-brimmed hats and carting eskies full of sustenance for the long day ahead.

A group of blokes in hot pink shirts said the Sydney Test was a special time of year when they all get together — for some of them it is the only time they can catch up.

This year, however, they’re down a few comrades, with some of their friends stuck in Brisbane and unable to attend because of border restrictions.

Masked Aussie fans arrive for the first day. Picture: Nikki Short

“The Pink Test is a special one, it’s for charity and the atmosphere. Sometimes this is the only time we see the other guys,” Ian Fisher said.

“I've got all the bandannas going back 12 years. And I was hoping to buy one today but there’s no one here to sell them. There’s normally people out here.

“It’s good that they’ve allowed a few people in.

“As long as everybody is sensible. I think they had to do it. But it’s … very different inside.”

Arindu Wick, 18, drove from the Blacktown district with his Lankan Island cricket team for the game.

The Sri Lankan team members were dressed in green and gold ­because of the age-old rivalry ­between India and Sri Lanka, so they were hopeful the men wearing the baggy green would come out on top.

“It’s been weird this year,” ­Arindu Wick said before the Test started.

“I turned 18 last May and I couldn’t do anything fun for my birthday or on finishing school.

“We’re used to being able to get up and walk around, which we won’t be able to do this year ­because of the COVID-19 ­restrictions. 

“We don’t know where we will be sitting yet but hopefully we’re not in the rain.

“It will be quiet but Test matches are not that hyped so it’s OK.

“If it was T20, then it would be a lot worse.”