Ashes 2021-22: MCG may have crowd up to 80,000 for the Boxing Day Test

Post the ongoing T20 World Cup, England and Australia will lock horns for the Ashes series. Even before its start, the series had to deal with certain concerns owing to Australia’s strict Covid 19 protocols. However, now it is reported that a crowd of 80,000 could be allowed at the MCG for the Boxing Day Ashes Test.

This comes after the Victorian government announced certain ease in the Covid 19 restrictions in the coming months. Melbourne has, however, spent a maximum number of days in lockdown over the past two years and has just come out from a sixth lockdown.  In the Boxing Day Test match against India last year, only 30,000 fans were allowed to watch the action unfold.

Victoria is expected to get 90 per cent of people above the age of 12 vaccinated before a large crowd is allowed for any sporting event. All the attendees will have to be fully vaccinated before entering the stadiums. The Victorian government is, however, confident they will achieve the target by November 14.

As per the announcement made, the Western Australia government would keep the borders to Victoria and New South Wales closed until at least Christmas. WA Cricket CEO Christina Matthews said on 6PR radio that the Perth Scorchers men’s team might need to play their entire BBL season on the road owing to this.

The 4th Ashes Test is scheduled to be played in Sydney on January 9 and then the 5th Test is to be played in Perth on January 14. However, the strict border restrictions might cause concerns for the smooth conduct of the series.

“We may be forced to be traveling the entire tour. That is the worst-case scenario at this moment, we just have to wait and see. Unless they start here and schedule it a certain way [we won’t have games]. But with the announcement last week from [Tasmania] … it has made it very challenging. Next week’s meeting [of state CEOs] will be very interesting and may make it difficult for us,” WA Cricket CEO Christina Matthews said.