44 SPORT MONDAY DECEMBER 21 2020 faces virus Test City in danger of losing India clash as border restrictions begin to bite PETER LALOR AND BEN HORNE clude staging two Tests in Mel- with the schedule as planned. and we have just completed a likely India would go for two Broadcast sources believe bourne, two in Brisbane, or “The third Test is more than brilliant first Test at Adelaide Tests at the bouncy Gabba, the prospect of the MCG host- is bracing itself for returning to Adelaide. two-and-a-half weeks away, Oval. We faced similar issues leaving back-to-back Tests in ing the Test and the distinct possibility that the But Cricket in- which provides us with time to in relation to the Melbourne as the favoured op- then being turned around for a Sydney Test could be moved, terim chief Nick Hockley de- assess the evolving public Cricket Ground playing host to tion for broadcasters. New Year’s Test on January 7 but administrators are refusing clared yesterday that the health situation on the north- the Boxing Day Test and we officials is a real possibility. to give up on the SCG’s New governing body will not give ern beaches of Sydney,” said are now less than a week away hosted a big ‘Steer Co’ meeting It would certainly help the Year’s showpiece. up on Sydney. Hockley. from welcoming back Vic- on Sunday after the NSW gov- broadcast partners CA’s preferred options Holding the Brisbane Test “We have made no changes torian crowds after a difficult ernment announced the latest and Channel 7 because the net- would be to still play in Sydney on January 7 and moving Syd- to our schedule and our prefer- year for the state. case numbers across the city. works would be set up and or to change the order of the ney back to January 15 as the ence remains to play the match “We will continue to work Officials still have a couple wouldn’t need to shift to an- third and fourth Test to allow final Test is an option which at the . closely with all relevant parties of days to make a final call and other location. for border crossings. would negate the prospect of “… It was less than a month to make the right decisions in will give Sydney every possible The Sydney Test was slated If numbers continue to Queensland shutting its bor- ago that South Australians the appropriate time frames.” chance, but the situation is to welcome in a sold-out full- grow in NSW, the options ders to NSW – but CA still were contending with an out- The powerful BCCI will looking ominous for the Har- capacity crowd, but that would ahead of Cricket Australia in- hasn’t given up on continuing break of the virus in Adelaide have a say in things and it’s un- bour City. appear impossible now. Concerns build over Africa tour ROBERT CRADDOCK

PACE spearhead Pat Cum- mins has urged South Africa to match the biosecurity stan- dards of England, as anxiety levels rise for Australia’s Feb- ruary tour. Two unnamed South Afri- can players have tested positive to COVID-19 and have been withdrawn from the squad to play on Boxing Day, not the news Australia was wanting after England recently abandoned its tour. Australia is set to head to South Africa for a three Test tour in February-March, which South Africa is desper- ate to see go ahead amid fears Sixers’ Dan Christian at the crease during his side’s Big Bash League victory over the Strikers at Blundstone Arena in Hobart. Picture: Getty Images that its cancellation could im- pact the nation’s tourism. South Africa has recorded the highest number of COVID infections in Africa – almost X-FACTOR SUB COSTLY FOR STRIKERS the 900,000 mark – with 20,000 deaths and its govern- LUKE EDMONDS the Sixers 2-52. At that stage Strikers Christian blasted the second- an even half-century, helping the ment tightened restrictions skipper sent English fastest 50 in BBL history from just 14 Sixers rack up 125 runs in the final 10 this week. THE unintended consequences of the spinner to the bench balls to break open a clash quickly overs to set 5-177. “When we went to England Big Bash rule changes have again (one over for five runs) for debutant heading south for the Sixers. Hot hand Christian removed the earlier this year, it was absol- turned a clash on its heels, with an X- allrounder to get another Following the Scott over, Christian dangerous (28 from 16) in the utely incredible lengths the factor substitution blowing up in the pace option. launched wily spinner for chase, which was effectively ended ECB went to ensure our safety, face of Adelaide. Scott went for 22 from his second two sixes, then hit ’s first when clean bowled so hopefully South Africa can The Strikers had their foot on the over, helping the dangerous Dan three legitimate balls of the power Carey (nine) with his first ball in the provide a similar level of ser- throat of Sydney after 10 overs with Christian get his eye in in the process. surge for fours before holing out for 11th over as Adelaide scored 7-139. vice,’’ Cummins said. Cummins calls for a cracker MCG on Boxing Day ROBERT CRADDOCK most satisfying win of his ca- The superior height and Cummins had the class to land it was a really good reer, beside last year’s Ashes- collective intent of the Austra- overcome the conditions in (MCG) wicket. has chal- retaining victory over England lian quicks looks set to over- that Test, but he still hopes for “It has a bit of sideways and lenged the MCG to sweep in Manchester. whelm India this summer. more life. pace and bounce. Hopefully it away the boredom of many re- While the verdicts on the The MCG produced a de- “I thought Test will be much the same. cent Melbourne Tests, by fol- standard of the Adelaide deck cent deck last year against and the Indian Test at the “I think, not only as a player lowing Adelaide’s example of which led to a 2 ½-day Test New Zealand, but many recent MCG a couple of years ago and a fan, they are the best pace and fire. were mixed, the one categori- tracks there have been too life- were pretty flat and boring , when it is a good bat- Cummins rated Australia’s cal fact was that Australia less for bowlers, including two wickets as a bowler,’’ said tle between bat and ball. shock decimation of India for looks nigh unbeatable on any summers ago on India’s last Cummins, who broke the back “You feel like if you do your 36 and the resultant Test tri- track delivering seam and vari- visit, when the tourists made of India’s second innings. skill well you can have a big umph in Adelaide as the equal able bounce. 7-443 in their first innings. “Last year against New Zea- impact.’’ Pace ace Pat Cummins.

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