SCG to be ready in time for New Year Test

Sydney, Nov 9 - Cricket Australia (CA) is confident that the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will be ready to host the annual New Year's Test despite last week's Sheffield Shield match at the ground being abandoned due to an unsafe playing surface.

The SCG is set to undergo an urgent resurfacing ahead of the third Test against the West Indies, starting on January 3, after the Shield clash between New South Wales (NSW) Blues and Victoria was abandoned on Sunday after just 34.2 overs of play, a sports website reported on Monday.

Victoria were on Monday awarded victory in their match against Blues after the turf surrounding the centre wicket was deemed unfit for first-class cricket. In accordance with CA's Playing Conditions, the Bushrangers -- as the visiting team -- were awarded the match.

The Blues have shifted their Shield match against Tasmania, which starts on Saturday, away from the SCG and to Bankstown Oval, with Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones saying the side could not risk the prospect of another abandonment and another loss of points.

While there has been no official word from the SCG Trust in regards to their immediate plans for the ground, Jones said his "informal advice" was that the turf would be re-laid in the hope it would be ready for the Shield match against Queensland from November 28.

 (IANS)

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