SCG Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd says the new year’s Test is off limits to other states.
However, the SCG will consider the potential possibility of a pink ball Test to deal with light issues that plagued the early part of the third Test.
Dozens of overs were lost on day one due to bad light, with that and the rain leaving a draw as the most likely result ahead of day four.
Shepherd conceded the timing of the Test wasn’t ideal but stated it was the best of the options. When asked on SEN Test Cricket if another city should host the new year’s Test, he was resolute.
“No, I don’t think so. I think this is the tradition and we’ve just got to live with the climate,” Shepherd replied.
NOW | @SCG Trust Chairman Tony Shepherd is with @GerardWhateley pic.twitter.com/VeIio0zAsQ
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) January 6, 2023
However, Shepherd added the possibility of a pink ball Test had been raised with Cricket Australia. A pink ball would solve the light issue while simultaneously adding to the McGrath foundation’s vision of the ‘Pink Test’.
“I had a chat yesterday with Nick Hockley… I think he’s doing a terrific job at Cricket Australia. I raised with him a couple of options there and I said, well look, we could make it a pink ball test. And one of our directors, Jane, she suggested, why don’t we have a pink ball test and sell the balls after the game and put the proceeds into the McGrath Foundation,” Shepherd continued.
“Or the alternative would be if you had that sort of light issue towards the end of the day, just have a bag of pink balls there, worn ones and substitute them.”
As for his own views on a pink ball Test, Shepherd would be happy to see it in whatever form it manifests.
“I would, absolutely. We could do a day nightery or just use a pink ball the whole game,” he stated.
“I think it would be quite good, I’m sure the McGrath foundation would love it too with the pink ball at the Pink Test.”
Shepherd also denied the light towers not being strong enough was an issue, stating: “We could probably light half of Sydney with these towers… that was not the issue.”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley stated that he too was happy to keep Sydney as the new year’s Test.
ABC statistician Ric Findlay took to Twitter on Friday with the stats that show just how much rain has affected the Sydney Test.
By popular demand, complete days washed out in Test matches in Australia:
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) January 5, 2023
0 Perth (47 Tests)
1 Hobart (14)
2 Adelaide (81)
8 Brisbane (67)
9 MCG (115)
25 Sydney (110)
24 Manchester (+ 2 abandoned Tests)
25 days of play have been lost to the weather at SCG Tests, more than every other Test venue in Australia combined.
When asked if it’s the right time of the year for the Sydney Test, Hockley responded: “I think so.
“I think it’s an iconic event on the spirting calendar, people plan their entire holiday’s around it, we saw over 30,000 people come out on day one.
“Particularly now with the Pink Test… There’s so much going on and around the ground, but obviously we all want to see as much cricket as possible.”
A draw looms as the most likely option for the third Test between Australia and South Africa with the Aussies still batting in their first innings heading into day four.