Boxing Day test at MCG alive for Black Caps

Canberra: Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed New Zealand is in the running to play the coveted Boxing Day test in Melbourne late next year, pending International Cricket Council approval.

In news to excite cricket fans around the country, the Black Caps are a step closer to finally co-starring in the highlight of Australia’s home summer for the first time in 32 years.

Remarkably, not since 1987 has New Zealand been granted a Boxing Day test at the MCG when the great Sir Richard Hadlee was defied by Australia’s No 11 Mike Whitney with the visitors one wicket from victory. CA didn’t confirm New Zealand’s participation, given the ICC is yet to finalise the schedule for the new test championship which is set to start next year. But it certainly left the door open enough to justify some growing excitement behind closed doors at NZC, which declined to comment.

A CA spokesperson, on behalf of chief executive James Sutherland, said: “While the 2019-20 home summer schedule is yet to be finalised, it is possible that New Zealand could feature in a Boxing Day test.” The spokesperson confirmed preliminary discussions had taken place between CA and NZC, but there would be no confirmation before the ICC board approves the new test and ODI championship programme in coming months. Once that is done, CA will formalise its schedule for 2019-20.

As it stands, Pakistan is the major touring side pencilled in for Australia that summer.