SCG Test Is Sacred, To Go Ahead As Planned - NSW Health Minister

New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard has stated that the fourth Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is a sacred one and it is likely to go ahead as planned. The number of cases in New South Wales are rising by the day and thus the customary New Year’s Test that is held at the SCG every year was under threat.

With many including former England captain Michael Vaughan requesting the Test to be not held in Sydney, it looked like the Ashes Test at SCG was on the verge of being shifted to another venue. However, Health Minister Hazzard has said that it is a tradition that happens at the SCG every year and it will continue to be the same despite the COVID-19 cases.

“The SCG (Sydney Cricket Ground) Test is sacred, an important date at the start of the third year of our life with Covid-19,” Hazzard said in a statement to the media.

NSW Health Minister assures safe process of going ahead of SCG Test

According to the rules in New South Wales, anyone who is found in close contact of a positive COVID-19 person will be asked to isolate for seven days. However, Hazzard has claimed that if any player is found in close contact with the virus, they will be asked to isolate only until they return a negative COVID-19 Test. He has also assured that the family members and staff of the players will also be protected if they come in contact with the virus so that the game goes on as scheduled.

“I want to assure the cricket-loving public, under our rules any players with exposure to a known case of Covid-19 would be asked to test and isolate only until a negative result was received. If there are any cases within the teams, their support staff, or families, we will work with the people involved to ensure they are safe, and there is as little disruption to others as possible,” Hazzard concluded.

The MCG Test was under the scanner as four from the England camp, two family members and two staff members, tested positive for COVID-19. However, Rapid Antigen Tests as well as the RT-PCR tests of the players came out to be negative, ensuring that the tour goes ahead as planned. Australia have already won the Ashes 3-0 and will be looking to pile further misery on the visitors.

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