Kiwis to invade MCG

Kiwi cricket fans will be out in force at the ‘Boxing Day test’ in Melbourne.

Cricket Australia’s official website said the number of Black Caps fans could match those of the famed Barmy Army for England’s most recent MCG encounter against Australia.

More than 12,000 tickets for the test – the second in a threematch series between New Zealand and Australia this summer – have been purchased by New Zealanders. Almost 20,000 travelling England fans attended the 2017 Ashes Boxing Day test.

Cricket Australia said two extra flights had been scheduled from Auckland to Melbourne – one on Christmas Day afternoon, the other on Boxing Day morning – as Kiwis flock to watch their national side play its first test at the venue since 1987.

More than 27,000 tickets have already been sold for the test from December 26-30 – 65 per cent higher than normal at this time of year.

New Zealand’s other tests will be a day-night affair at Perth’s new Optus Stadium from December 12-16 and the finale at Sydney from January 3-7.

‘‘It’s hard to go past the threematch test series in Australia as a highlight,’’ New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said last year.

‘‘I think all New Zealanders will have a circle around that one.’’

The test series will be part of the new World Test Championship which culminates in a oneoff final at Lord’s in 2021. New Zealand began their test championship campaign in Galle yesterday with the first of two tests against Sri Lanka.

When New Zealand last played Australia in a test at the MCG in 1987, the hosts held on to a controversial draw when paceman Danny Morrison was denied an lbw appeal that looked certain to win the game for the visitors, leaving Australian No 11 Mike Whitney to see out the last over from Sir Richard Hadlee.