The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) has proposed that Cricket Australia (CA) host a Test series between India and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), but the international schedule and political tensions may hinder the plan.
The MCC chief, Stuart Fox, has asked CA to continue negotiating with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to allow the two nations, who have not played a Test series against each other since 2007, to compete.
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“That India-Pakistan game was something else – the atmosphere, I’ve never felt anything like it,” Fox told radio station SEN. “The noise after every ball was phenomenal.
“Three in a row would be lovely at the MCG. You’d fill it every time. We have asked. We’ve taken that up with CA and I know the government have as well. Again, it’s enormously complicated in and amongst what I understand is a really busy world schedule. That’s probably the greater challenge.”
“Hopefully, Cricket Australia keep taking it up with the ICC and keep pushing for it.”
The two teams recently played a Twenty20 World Cup game at the MCG, which drew a large crowd and demonstrated the popularity of India-Pakistan matches. Fox noted that a three-match series at the MCG would likely be successful.
“It would be up to the two countries to agree, but if there was to be a Test between India and Pakistan on neutral territory, we would of course be interested in the opportunity to host it in Australia,” a CA spokesperson said.
“The supporters of the two teams here for the World Cup were amazing and the vast majority of those fans live in Australia.”
CA stated that it would be interested in hosting the Test series if the two boards approved, citing the support of the two teams’ fans in Australia. However, the crowded cricket calendar and the strained relationship between India and Pakistan may prevent the series from occurring.
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