SCG remains our preference, says CA’s Hockley

Cricket Australia on Sunday said the SCG remains its preferred venue for the third test against India after reports emerged that the governing body is contemplating swapping the last two games of the four-Test series due to growing COVID-19 cases in Sydney.

Australian cricket officials were put on high alert last week after an outbreak of the virus in the northern beaches in Sydney, which will host the third Test from January 7.

There were reports that the CA was mulling options and “swapping the third and fourth tests between Sydney and Brisbane was the top alternative”.

However, CA’s interim chief executive officer Nick Hockley said he is hopeful of staging the third Test between Australia and India at the SCG. “We have made no changes to our schedule and our preference remains to play the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground,” Hockley said.

With cases growing, star Australia opener David Warner and pacer Sean Abbott -- both recovering from injuries -- were on Saturday flown from Sydney to Melbourne, which will host the Boxing day Test from December 26.

Under the current circumstances, there are concerns that Queensland state may close its border with New South Wales, which will mean players and broadcasting crews will not be able to travel from Sydney to Brisbane between the third and fourth Tests.

Hockley said the governing body is prepared for such contingencies.