India vs Australia, 3rd Test: SCG gets green signal to host Pink Test

Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Tuesday that the third Test of the ongoing 2020-21 Border Gavaskar series will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as planned.

The recent COVID-19 outbreaks in New South Wales threatened to relocate the third Test between India and Australia to the second Test's venue, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). After several rounds of meetings that took into consideration the impact of the recent outbreak in the Northern beaches of Sydney, the Australian national cricket board decided to have the New Year's Test in Sydney, as reported by cricket.com.au.

MCG has not hosted two Tests in the Australian summer since December 1981, but the ground – where Australia lost the Boxing Day Test by eight wickets against Team India – will shift focus to hosting KFC Big Bash League (BBL) matches in January.

"Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men's international series as scheduled. We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes," CA's Interim CEO Nick Hockley said in an interview.

"To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year's Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play," he added.

Hockley further added that CA are confident that the third and the fourth Test, which is scheduled to be played at the Gabba, Brisbane, will play out in a safe and successful manner, thereby bringing a phenomenal end to the men's summer in Australian cricket.

The New Year's Test in the Australian summer has been played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and has become famous for being known as the 'Pink Test' in recent times and is a major fundraiser for the McGrath Foundation, breast cancer and education charity founded by the former Aussie fast bowler, whose first wife Jane died of the disease. Last summer, the Pink Test in its 12th year raised more than $1.2 million for the charity.

After the opening two Tests of the 2020-21 Border Gavaskar series, both the sides are at 1-1 level with two more games to go. Team India won the series the last time, and a draw in the ongoing tour would be enough for the touring party to retain the trophy.