New Zealand backed for quicker return to MCG
Travelling New Zealand cricket fans nursed their beers on Boxing Day evening in Melbourne with faraway looks they may have sported on Christmas morning, many moons ago.
After their cricketing experience of a lifetime, day one of a Boxing Day test before a record crowd of 80,473 in full voice, there was the inevitable question. When will the Black Caps be invited back?
One thing seems certain, it won’t be anywhere near the mindboggling 32-year chasm since the last New Zealand appearance in 1987 which drew just over 51,000 spectators on day one 32 years ago.
Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts gave New Zealand fans some more good news yesterday when he said moves were afoot to make them more frequent visitors to the biggest test on the calendar.
‘‘We are already having some high-level discussions around the cricket calendar from 2023 to 2031,’’ Roberts said. ‘‘And we absolutely hope and look forward to hosting
New Zealand at a Boxing Day test well before another 32 years pass.’’
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said the day one crowd showed how important the fixture was to New Zealanders.
‘‘It’s an event that’s always been held in high regard by both Australians and New Zealanders, and I know a lot of Kiwis have been looking forward to being at the
MCG today,’’ White said. ‘‘The NZC and Cricket Australia boards have an excellent relationship with a lot of bilateral exchanges in recent years and we’re confident that will continue into the future.’’
White and former CA chief executive James Sutherland officially signed off this test in April last year at an International Cricket Council meeting in Kolkata. On recent test form the
Black Caps were preferred to fellow touring side Pakistan as Australia’s Boxing Day opponents.
On the ICC’s Future Tours Programme, Australia’s next three Boxing Day opponents are locked in: India next year, followed by England (2021) and South Africa
(2022). The FTP is renegotiated for
2023 onwards, and White and Roberts are no doubt set for more discussions to lock in a repeat visit, maybe even within the next five years.
Roberts was impressed, posting on Twitter: ‘‘Thanks to the Aussie cricket fans and our Kiwi brothers and sisters who helped make Boxing Day so special at the MCG.’’
He also said it was unlikely to move from Melbourne, amid
The quicks didn’t really hunt as a pack on a flat surface and they were left bereft of wicket-taking options. Trent Boult was handy and occasionally hostile while Tim Southee looked down on pace before snaring three bonus wickets at the end.
Wagner, again, broke the partnership, trapping Paine (79) in front, around the wicket to New Zealand’s first DRS challenge of the innings in the 150th over. pushes from other states to host the iconic fixture as questions continue over the MCG pitch.
‘‘Given the importance of the MCG test to world cricket, I would like to think it will remain here in perpetuity.
‘‘There is a bit of work to be done on that front.
‘‘But you would have to say it is best for world cricket to have a Boxing Day test in Melbourne for years to come.’’
The crowd which included around 16,000 touring New Zealanders and many more Australian-based Kiwis was the second-largest for day one of a nonAshes MCG test, behind the 85,661 that watched the West Indies in 1975.
‘‘Thanks to the Aussie cricket fans and our Kiwi brothers and sisters who helped make Boxing Day so special at the MCG.’’