Sydney’s ready to plunder Qld Test

NSW has launched an audacious 11th-hour bid to claim not one but two India-Australia Tests for Sydney this summer – including a pink ball affair.

Cricket Australia’s summer now hinges on critical talks taking place with the Queensland Government over the coming 48 hours about whether it would entertain the prospect of granting exemptions to cricket teams and broadcast staff in the event the border to NSW remains closed after January 8.

Cricket bosses are desperate for the current fixture to go ahead as scheduled, with a third Test in Sydney and fourth Test in Brisbane.

But the only way it can is if they get some assurances about the ability to cross from NSW into Queensland.

The most likely alternative if CA fails to get the assurances it seeks, is that Melbourne takes custody of Sydney’s Test, and for the MCG to host backto-back Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests, before heading to Brisbane for the series finale.

A double dose in Melbourne remains the shortpriced favourite at Sydney’s expense and sources say a final decision must be made by Boxing Day at the latest, although the call could come today.

But despite declaring they would not consider reopening the border until January 8, sources said there was a glimmer of renewed hope last night that Queensland had not completely shut the door on listening to what CA has to say.

However, there was another daring contingency plan thrown into the mix on Wednesday by NSW Cricket and NSW Government officials.

The push from NSW is for

CA to prioritise holding the Sydney Test as planned, and if the Queensland border fails to open, letting the SCG host the fourth Test as well, stripping Brisbane of its fixture.

It is based on a feeling that CA has a sense of gratitude to NSW for saving the cricket summer in November by allowing the Indian and Australian teams to quarantine, when Queensland refused.

The Bulletin understands NSW’s talks with CA heavies centred around a proposed fourth Test at the SCG being a pink ball affair.

However, there are major obstacles to the unlikely bid.

One is SCG curators would have only three days to turn around the ground’s traditional square. The second issue is the bilateral tour agreement between India and Australia was signed off before the tour, and CA would need agreement from the BCCI to play a second pink ball Test.

Given how reluctant India were to even play one in Adelaide, it would be a shock, particularly given the first pink ball Test was over in two-and-a half days.

However, the biggest issue would be that Queensland Cricket and the cricket fans of Brisbane would be punished by having a Test taken off them, even when there is no COVID-19 issue in their State.

One subplot to the Sydney Test saga is that CA has not forgotten what NSW did to save the summer in November.

CA knows the Queensland Government let them down badly by refusing to allow the India and Australia teams to train while in quarantine.

However, the feeling among cricket sources is that taking a Test off Brisbane would still seem an extreme reaction.