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We’ll remember your choice for next time
MCC CEO Stuart Fox says he’s had conversations with Cricket Australia about a later start to the Boxing Day Test – and believes the body will consider the idea.
SEN’s Gerard Whateley has championed the idea to see the Boxing Day Test begin at 12:00pm AEDT, citing a festive season spirit as why fans might not be arriving for the first ball at 10:30am.
Whateley previously suggested a 7:30pm finish would be ideal for the precincts surrounding the MCG as well.
Speaking to SEN Test Cricket, Fox also holds the idea in a favourable light.
However, he stressed the fixturing was not at the discretion of the MCC.
“I heard your concept, Gerard. I’ve got to be careful here because the MCC are really a venue to hire, Cricket Australia controls the fixturing, as does the AFL here,” he began.
“We will support whatever they want. Personally, I love your idea, I think a 12:00pm start would work really well.
“It’s a big Christmas day, isn’t it, and you’ve really got to be up and going around 8:00am to get in here and get yourself settled if you want to be ready for the first ball.
Fox also added that he’d raised the concept with CA CEO Nick Hockley – and based on that discussion, further talks could be had.
“So I like your idea, playing into the night on day one… but I don’t mind your idea, personally,” he continued.
“Cricket Australia, I had a quick chat to Nick Hockley about it and I think they’ll look at it, it’s a good idea.”
The Boxing Day crowd peaked at 64,876 for day one, a significantly higher number than 10:30am.