Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts has insisted that the health of spectators and participants will not be compromised during the Australia v New Zealand Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground this weekend.
The contest, which is due to get underway tomorrow (Friday), is likely to take place against the backdrop of a smoke haze caused by the devastating bushfires in the neighbouring states of New South Wales and Victoria.
“We won’t be putting the players’ health at risk, nor will we be putting the health of match officials, fans at the match or our own employees at risk,” Roberts said. “That is something we will be monitoring consistently through the five days’ play. It’s a day-by-day proposition.”
Roberts added that Cricket Australia has been working closely with the International Cricket Council, which is the sanctioning body for the match, as well as environment agencies.
“It’s fair to say it’s a collaborative exercise and we will continue to take advice from the experts,” Roberts said.
Australia’s one-day series against New Zealand in March will generate funds for towns that have suffered during the bushfires, while signed playing gear from the recent Boxing Day Test between the two teams will also be auctioned off to support victims of the blazes.
Image: Marc Dalmulder
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