MCC And Victoria Government Inquire About Hosting The India-Pakistan Test At The MCG: Reports
Published - 29 Dec 2022, 12:45 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM
Inquiries about hosting a Test match between India and Pakistan in Melbourne have been made informally to Cricket Australia by the Melbourne Cricket Club, which oversees the MCG, and the Victorian government in response to the success of the memorable T20 World Cup match between the two teams in October.
On the fourth day of the second Test between Australia and South Africa, MCC chief executive Stuart Fox disclosed that the club and the state of Victoria had contacted CA about hosting a neutral Test.
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Since 2007, India and Pakistan haven’t faced off in a Test match; they also haven’t done so in a bilateral international cricket match outside of the World Cups and the Asia Cup since 2013.
Fox, though, stated that the MCC would be thrilled to host the two nations for a Test match after 90,293 spectators crammed the MCG to watch the thrilling T20 World Cup match that came down to the final ball in November.
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“Absolutely. Three [Tests] in a row would be lovely at the MCG. You’d fill it every time. We have asked “We’ve taken that up with Cricket Australia. I know the [Victoria] government has as well. Again, it’s enormously complicated from what I can understand, amongst a really busy schedule. So I think that’s probably the greater challenge,” Fox said.
“Wouldn’t it be great that it wasn’t just Australia-centric and Victoria-centric, that we’re catering for all the countries and filling the stadium all the time. So we have asked”
“Hopefully, Cricket Australia keep taking it up with the ICC and keep pushing for it. When you do see some of the stadiums around the world unoccupied, I think it would be much better to have a full house and that atmosphere and celebrate the game with full houses,” Fox added.
“India and Pakistan were solely in the hands of the BCCI and the PCB”: CA spokesperson
A CA representative told ESPNcricinfo that the BCCI and PCB alone would decide whether to hold a neutral Test or Test series between India and Pakistan, but added that CA would be interested in hosting a neutral game at a location in Australia if the two boards ever came to an understanding.
