Sport - Cricket

Tussle for Boxing Day Test

MELBOURNE: Cricket South Africa officials have said that they would not tour down under during Christmas holidays in future if Australia does not agree to visit their country for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests.

CSA chief executive Gerald Majola was miffed at Australia’s refusal to rotate the two big Tests every four years.

“We would like to tour there any time, including Boxing Day, provided they are prepared to come to us one Boxing Day as well. We have no issues coming to Australia on Boxing Day.

“The problem is, Australia does not want to leave Australia on Boxing Day which, in our country, is also our peak period.

“In fact, we would choose to play them on Boxing Day first and (then) alternate, that’s the first choice. The Australians are not prepared to do that,” Majola was quoted as saying by Herald Sun.

South Africa is due to arrive in Perth next month for a three-Test series, which will be followed by a limited-overs series. Australia will then head to South Africa for a three-Test series in April.

Cricket Australia said it does not want to rob its public off the two “iconic” events.

“It’s that time of the year when the Australians are on holidays and when the public interest in cricket is at its absolute peak,” CA spokesman Peter Young said.

Both Tests generate strong crowds, which cannot be said for South Africa when it plays at home over the same period.

Last year, as many as 68,465 spectators attended the Test against India, while 89,155 watched the 2006 Test against England.

When South Africa toured in 2005, 71,910 turned up at the MCG on Boxing Day.

While Test cricket’s popularity seemed to have faded away in South Africa, Majola insisted that it would change if Australia toured in the heart of summer and played in coastal cities such as Durban which are full of holiday crowds.

“If Australia comes to South Africa on Boxing Day, the ground would be full,” Majola said, adding: “It’s unfair that we have to travel to them every time to play on Boxing Day. That’s when our crowds come to the grounds like they do in Australia.”

It is understood that Cricket South Africa receives about 300,000 aus dollars in compensation for touring Australia in the Christmas period.

CSA said far more money would be made if Australia went to South Africa. — PTI

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