Border Gavaskar Trophy: Sydney Cricket Ground gets clearance to host the third Test

Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday confirmed that the third Test will go ahead as planned in Sydney. The officials, who monitored the situation close to a week, were convinced that the outbreak of the virus in the city had receded enough to host the fixture. Considering the recent outbreak of COVID-19 cases in New South Wales, there were speculations that the board might contemplate on shifting the third Test to Melbourne. 

"Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men's international series as scheduled." - Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement.

The @scg has been confirmed as the venue for the Vodafone Pink Test, starting from January 7. Read the full statement here: https://t.co/8sDweeC0Kc pic.twitter.com/r2BKPv3ol9

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 29, 2020

With the third Test set to be played in Sydney and the fourth in Brisbane, Hockley added that the CA officials worked in close liaison with the New South Wales and Queensland government to 'deliver the series' as originally scheduled. 

"We are very grateful to the New South Wales and Queensland Governments for their willingness to work with us to deliver the series as planned in a manner that places the safety and wellbeing of the players, officials, staff and the wider community as its top priority." - he added.

The third Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy is to be held from January 7. The series is evenly poised as India managed to settle the scores with an 8-wicket win over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

[CA input]