Ind v Aus: 25K spectators to be allowed for Boxing Day Test at MCG

As many as 25,000 spectators could be allowed for the Boxing Day Test between Australia and India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

“Crowd numbers will be confirmed closer to the match, but will be capped at approximately 25,000 patrons – a quarter of the MCG’s capacity,” Cricket Australia stated in a media release. 

India are set to play four Tests and a white-ball series against Australia over the coming months.

The Victorian Government, MCC and Cricket Australia will develop a COVID-19 safety plan to enable members and fans to safely attend the Test.

The battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin with a day-night encounter at the Adelaide Oval on December 17, followed by Tests at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26), the Sydney Cricket Ground (January 7) and the Gabba (January 15).

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia and Melbourne Cricket Club announced a new three-year venue hire agreement for the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), starting with the 31st consecutive Boxing Day Test played in 2020.

The MCG is locked in to host both international and domestic cricket for the next three summers.

The three-year contract was confirmed after the unveiling of this summer’s schedule – with confirmation the MCG will host the second of the four-match Test series between Australia and India on December 26-30.

Melbourne Cricket Club Chief Executive Stuart Fox said it was pleasing to formally extend cricket’s association with the MCG for another three years.

“The MCG began its life as the Melbourne Cricket Club’s home ground in 1838, before moving to its current site in 1853 and has been home to a lot of firsts in the game of cricket – from hosting the first-ever Test match in 1877 between Australia and England to the first century scored in Test cricket by Charles Bannerman, to hosting the first-ever one-day international cricket match in January 1971,” Fox said.

“It’s pleasing that Victorian, Australian and international fans will be able to experience the magic of cricket at the MCG for a further three years," Fox added.