Cricket Australia: Sydney Test to stay put despite weather concerns

Cricket Australia claim moving the Sydney Test out of January is not an option despite persistent raining impacting the match for the sixth time in the past seven years.

Poor light and rain was responsible for 43 overs being lost on the opening day, while there were three separate stoppages for wet weather before day two finished early.

Sydney holds the unenviable record of having the most days washed out in Test cricket in any Australian venue, with 25 completely lost in its history.

Data from the Bureau of Meteorology also confirms that Sydney experiences more rain in January than November and December, with 101.2mm as opposed to 83.8 and 77.1.

Regardless, CA CEO Nick Hockley said there was no need for the match to be moved from its traditional New Year’s slot.

“I think (it’s the right time for it). It is an iconic event on the sporting calendar,” Hockley told SEN on Thursday. 

“People plan their entire holidays around it. We saw over 30,000 people turn out yesterday. 

“Particularly now with the pink Test in its 15th year … There is so much going on around the ground.”

Hockley also rejected calls for the use of pink balls in Tests once lights came on, after heavy criticism from the likes of Steve Waugh over lost time on Wednesday.

Test cricket is able to be played with a pink ball under floodlights, but is deemed unsafe with a red ball.

“Changing of the ball during play is really problematic,” Hockley said. 

“That introduces a little bit too much variability into the game. 

“When you take the new ball, the state of the ball is a key part of the nuance to Test cricket.” 

Hockley’s comments come after Marnus Labuschagne also rejected the idea, or a full-time switch to pink balls in matches to avoid the issue.

“I certainly hope not, because the balls are just so different,” Labuschagne said.

“There is no consistency with the pink ball. There is no consistent swing, everything happens quite erratically. 

“The balls are made differently … and react so much differently with spin and pace.”

Labuschagne also said it was significantly different facing a red ball under lights compared to pink, and players could not be expected to stay on.

“The red ball under lights, it just doesn’t stand out. It’s quite tough and dull,” Labuschagne said.

“It’s probably more dangerous for the fielders, because you can’t see it square of the wicket.”

>Cricket News