Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley has assured there are “robust” plans in place in the fight against COVID-19 ahead of the SCG Test.
Hockley’s promise comes after NSW registered a record 11,201 new cases on Wednesday, 8000 of which are from the Sydney metropolitan area.
The fourth Ashes Test is due to kick off at the SCG on January 5.
“We’ve got very robust COVID-safe plans that are led by the venues working closely with the health authorities,” Hockley told the ABC.
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“Outdoor settings we know are lower risk. Everyone will be double vaccinated. They’re seated venues.
“As long as everyone follows the advice, I think people can come in the knowledge they’re going to be safe.”
It was reported that at least five people in attendance at the MCG match had returned positive rapid antigen tests.
Crowds of more than 35,000 are expected for the first three days of the New Year’s Test, while the overall attendance is tipped to be less than the 182,349 at the Sydney Test of 2018, when England last toured Australia.
The NSW government on Wednesday changed close-contact regulations for all people, ruling a negative test is all that’s need to exit isolation.
Australia retained the Ashes urn in an innings defeat of England in the Boxing Day Test, which gave the hosts an unassailable 3-0 series lead.
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