Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula was at the MCG today to thank all Victorians for their efforts and sacrifice to stop the spread of coronavirus and make events like the Test possible.
“Victorians have worked incredibly hard to make the MCG Test possible – now we can all enjoy one of the iconic events of Melbourne’s summer in a safe way.” Minister Pakula commented “The MCC and Cricket Australia are to be commended for their efforts in making the Test COVIDSafe and ensuring Victorians can get to the game in meaningful numbers.”
The Minister said that this is the first time that fans have been able to attend any sporting event at the MCG since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Final on 8 March. A crowd of up to 30,000 per day will see Australia take on India at the MCG, with strict public health measures to help make sure the event stays safe.



Minister Pakula said that to help ensure fans have a COVIDSafe day out, the Melbourne Cricket Club and Cricket Australia have implemented a comprehensive COVIDSafe Event Plan, ensuring the health and safety of players, spectators and workers. The Minister explained that this includes a limit to the crowd size, COVIDSafe Marshals at the venue to ensure physical distancing within the MCG and in queues, allocated and staggered seating to ensure groups are spaced apart, sanitiser stations throughout the precinct and cashless transactions. The Minister added that those who booked tickets with a New South Wales address have been contacted with a reminder about the current restrictions in place and offered refunds if they’re unable to attend the game.
Minister Pakula said that the Boxing Day Test is an iconic symbol of Melbourne Broadcast in over 100 countries. The Minister added that the Border-Gavaskar trophy is one of the most fiercely contested in cricket, with world number-one Australia seeking to take the trophy back from the Indian side this summer. India won the last Boxing Day Test played between the two sides in 2018.
Minister Pakula said that Australia is scheduled to play the Boxing Day Test at the MCG against England in 2021 and South Africa in 2022. The Boxing Day Test kickstarts an action-packed COVIDSafe summer of cricket, which also includes six Big Bash fixtures at the MCG featuring Melbourne’s own Stars and Renegades in January.