The Scotsman

Australia and New Zealand to wear black armbands in memory of victims of bushfires

- By DENNIS PASSA

With the three-test series between Australia and New Zealanddec­ided,playersfro­m both teams will momentaril­y turn their attention away from the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground and to the deadly wildfires around the country.

Black armbands will be worn from the first day of the Test today as a mark of respect for those who have lost their lives in the tragic fires, while emergency services personnel will be honoured during the pre-match ceremony with a minute of applause.

Cricket Australia also announced that two one-day internatio­nals between Australia and New Zealand at the SCG in March will raise funds for the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to help those affected by the fires.

Authoritie­s said seven people had died since Monday – and 15 this fire season – and nearly 400 homes have been destroyed in New South Wales state. The situation could worsen this weekend, when smoke could affect the second day of the Test.

The worst of the blazes are in Victoria state’s east and on the New South Wales south coast, where thousands of people in isolated communitie­s are ringed by fire and military helicopter­s have been deployed to reach them. There is also a “catastroph­ic” fire warning in Western Australia, while Tasmania and Queensland states have also been badly affected over the past several months.

Smoke from the southern

New South Wales fires threatens to have play stopped at Sydney if it becomes too unhealthy or threatens vision. Adomestict­wenty20cri­cket match was called off in Canberra last month because of smoke haze and unhealthy conditions for the players. Several Sydney grade cricket matches have already been affected, with paramedics called to at least one match to treat two non-asthmatic players.

The decision on whether to stop play at the Test match would rest with ICC match referee Richie Richardson, pictured, and the umpires as they closely monitor air quality and visibility.

New Zealand drafted in uncapped batsman Glenn Phillips as injury cover in case either skipper Kane Williamson or Henry Nicholls is ruled out because of illness. Williamson and Nicholls were not able to practise in the last two days, and spinner Mitchell Santner is also reported to be ill.

The 23-year-old Phillips has played 11 Twenty20 internatio­nals for New Zealand.

New Zealand offspin bowler

Will Somerville, who has lived in Sydney for most of his life, said any concern over smoke issues were inconseque­ntial to those suffering from the bushfires.

“It’s bloody horrible, shocking, and it’s been going on for so long,” Somerville said. “I don’t know what more to say. There’s talk about smoke delaying this game but who cares? It doesn’t mean anything compared with what people are going through.”

Australia won the first Test in Perth by 296 runs and the second in Melbourne by 247 runs, each with a day to spare.

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