Australia's Boxing Day and New Year's Tests under threat

[Gilly Fan]

But that is precisely what Australia are doing for most of the other countries! If South Africa or India someone else were to call Australia for a tour in their winter, Australia would refuse because that would collide with their preferred season.

The reason for this probably that teams can't come here in March/April because that's when the AFL season starts and they need the G. If we didn't have the G and the SCG during those times, we'd be playing on grounds that had less than 5000 seats!

 

[smssia0112]

But that is precisely what Australia are doing for most of the other countries! If South Africa or India someone else were to call Australia for a tour in their winter, Australia would refuse because that would collide with their preferred season.

Why would they want to play in winter?

Besides that, Boxing Day has been a tradition for so long now, it brings in a huge revenue for the Victorian economy, and cricket played at other times such as the Super Series and even some ODIs have flopped. To get rid of it is like cancelling the most important thing on your calendar. There is no decent reason to get rid of it in the first place, and if South Africa don't want to play there then fine, but we shouldn't give it up so that they can play their test which was copied off ours anyway, and which draws less than half the crowds anyway.

Anyway, apparently it is only South Africa who don't want to come on Boxing Day, so it looks like Australia will merely play them before Boxing Day and then play another country on Boxing Day. Simple solution really.

 

[angryangy]

Why would they want to play in winter?

Besides that, Boxing Day has been a tradition for so long now, it brings in a huge revenue for the Victorian economy, and cricket played at other times such as the Super Series and even some ODIs have flopped.

And this is the point that SA make about their own calendar. SA can never get Aus to tour in the peak of their summer, so they are the ones that have to make do and comply with Australia on both accounts. How is that not more arrogant of us?

 

[cricketmad09]

Gotta look after tradition. Gotta look after the game. Let them play Boxing Day.

 

[smssia0112]

And this is the point that SA make about their own calendar. SA can never get Aus to tour in the peak of their summer, so they are the ones that have to make do and comply with Australia on both accounts. How is that not more arrogant of us?

Mate we were playing Boxing Day cricket before they were even allowed to play cricket post-apartheid. We make heaps more and draw a lot more. I was watching their tests last year on Fox Sports and the grounds were all half empty. Boxing Day is a sellout on most days, and is MUCH bigger than South Africa's Boxing Day Test.

If South Africa want to play at home on Boxing Day, fine. But we shouldn't dismantle our own season to suit them.

 

[Skater]

The reason for this probably that teams can't come here in March/April because that's when the AFL season starts and they need the G. If we didn't have the G and the SCG during those times, we'd be playing on grounds that had less than 5000 seats!

Why do you call the Melbourne Cricket Ground the "G"? You use it a lot and I don't know how that came about.

 

[Griffo]

its a common term if he was to say "lets go to the g" a majority of sports fans would know exactly what he is talking about

i think it comes from it being the best ground in australia becaise you also have the scg

 

[Skater]

its a common term if he was to say "lets go to the g" a majority of sports fans would know exactly what he is talking about

i think it comes from it being the best ground in australia becaise you also have the scg

All well and good, but why would the fact that the MCG is the best ground in Australia result in the nickname the "G"? What does it stand for?

 

[Griffo]

because there is another ground called the SCG as well as the MCG

so the G (MCG) is referred as the best sporting ground in the country and is given a nickname to recognize its widespread recognition

 

[Sureshot]

The easiest and fairest option is a rotation policy.

 

[Griffo]

lol but then you lose the commenwealth bank series.... and win the world cup

 

[angryangy]

Australians like to abbreviate things, even things that have already been abbreviated.

"Gabba" for instance, is the ubiquitous nickname for the Brisbane Cricket Ground, coming from the suburb of Woolloongabba. Never will you hear it referred to as the BCG.

 

[Griffo]

it makes conversation quicker.... lol i never picked up on how often we actually do it

 

[The Spin]

Back on the original topic (better?), I am completely with the South African side of the argument. Because of Australia's "need" to always have the Boxing Day/New Years tests, South Africa have to miss out on income from hosting on one of these days if they tour Australia or they get less income because they don't get the top team over on those days

 

[Skater]

Back on topic

Our discussion of the nickname the "G" was on topic, the original topic was Australia's Boxing Day tests, which are always played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and some people call the MCG the "G". Surely the topic has evolved rather than left?