Share

Boxing Day Test to stay in Melbourne

Sydney - The celebrated Boxing Day Test will remain in Melbourne, Cricket Australia said Friday, after a report that administrators could reshuffle fixtures.

The Australian newspaper had suggested that big matches could be moved around based on competitive bidding between states.

But CA's executive general manager of operations Mike McKenna said the idea that the December 26 Test would move from the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) was "absolutely not correct".

"We've got no plans whatsoever to move cricket and the Boxing Day Test from Melbourne," McKenna told Melbourne radio station 3AW.

"Like any good commercial business, we've got to look at funding of cricket and if someone came to us with a massive offer we'd have to listen but our primary loyalty to the Boxing Day Test is to the MCG."

McKenna said there had been no discussions with other states about taking the Boxing Day Test away from Victoria state, of which Melbourne is the capital.

"Our conversations have been about the existing content each state already has," he said.

"In Sydney we have a great Test in the New Year Test. We have the first Test of the year in Brisbane most years. In Adelaide we've had (games) on Australia Day (on January 26) on many occasions in the past.

"They've all got great content already, and that's what we're talking about with them at this point in time."

McKenna said that CA was trying to encourage state governments to spend money, now spent on marketing states via other sporting events, on cricket.

This could be through signage on the ground or the use of cricket imagery and logos, he added.

Victoria's Minister for Sport, Tourism and Major Events John Eren said the Boxing Day Test was "one of the most iconic dates on Australia's sporting calendar".

"It doesn't belong to Cricket Australia, it belongs to the fans, who come in their tens of thousands every year to the MCG," he added.

"We do it best, it belongs in Victoria and it's not going anywhere."

Cricket Australia is expected to release its full 2015-16 fixture in coming days.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2248 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE