Cricket: Melbourne joins call to replace Perth if Ashes test is passed | Mighty 790 KFGO

MELBOURNE (Reuters) – As Perth’s Ashes test is suspected of strict COVID-19 rules, Victorian state authorities have asked Cricket Australia to bring the series back to the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

The MCG is already hosting the third test between Australia and England on its traditional Killing Day schedule on December 26, but has an “undisputed” case to replace Perth in the fifth and final match on January 14, Victorian Sports Secretary Martin Pakula said. .

“The Victorian government has certainly made it clear to Cricket Australia that if Perth’s test can’t go ahead, we wouldn’t just be ready to host the fifth test, we would be very eager to host the fifth test,” Pakula told reporters on Wednesday. .

“If they can’t get to Perth and it’s a commercial decision, then I think MCG’s claims are almost indisputable.

“We’ll wait and see, but Cricket Australia is well aware of our interest.”

Pakula’s comments follow similar expressions of interest from other states, including New South Wales, which is hosting its fourth test in Sydney, and Tasmania.

Perth’s hopes of hosting the Ashes test collapsed on Tuesday when Western Australian Prime Minister Mark McGowan said players and staff must be quarantined for 14 days on arrival in New South Wales from 5 to 9. January after the Sydney test.

Cricket Australia has repeatedly declined to comment on the timetable.

(Report by Ian Ransom; edited by Peter Rutherford)