Boxing Day Test between Australia, India likely to allow fans

Fans are expected to be allowed into the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the blockbuster Boxing Day Test between Australia and India, officials said in a major boost for the series.

India are set to play four Tests and a white-ball series against Australia over the coming months, although dates have yet to be confirmed amid wrangling over quarantine requirements.

More than 80,000 people attended day one of last year’s Boxing Day Test when New Zealand were playing.

Australia’s second largest city has been under a coronavirus lockdown for months, and on Sunday a decision was made to bar spectators at next week’s Melbourne Cup horse race.

But on Monday officials announced an easing of restrictions after no new daily or deaths, opening the door to some good news for cricket fans.

“The Boxing Day Test of course is very different (to the Melbourne Cup) because that is some way off,” Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews was quoted as saying in an AFP report.

“I am very confident that we will get a crowd at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test. I don’t know how big it will be but there will be a crowd, that’s the advice that I have, that’s what we’re working toward.”