3rd Test match between India and Australia on track despite Covid-19 outbreak in city's Northern Beaches region

Cricket lovers worried about the future of the third Test in Sydney between India and Australia, need to relax as tickets for the blockbuster contest continue to be on sale and the health authorities have contact traced almost all the new coronavirus cases in the Northern Beaches region of the city.

The future of the Test match which is scheduled to kick start from January 7, was in doubt ever since 28 coronavirus cases were detected from a cluster on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Brett Lee, part of commentary panel, was forced to leave the Adelaide Test to head home after the news of outbreak. Broadcasters Fox Sports and Channel 7 have had to stand down several members of their staff including senior production figures, in response to Sydney’s Northern Beaches cluster.

But India Today can confirm that the situation is well under control. Sources in BCCI have told channel's Consulting Editor (Sports) Boria Majumdar that there was



abouslutely no reason to panic. The health authorities have taken complete control of the Northern Beaches region, where people have been barred to leave their house.

If at all the third Test is not held at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Melbourne, where the 2nd Test will be held, might get the opportunity to host two consecutive Tests.

"Tickets continue to be on sale for the Sydney Test as of now. There is a downward slide when talking about the number of coronavirus cases in Sydney. We are told that health authorities have been able to contact trace all but one. So, they are continuously clamping down and situation should be in control. Brett Lee has been stood down for commentating, Ian Chappell has had to go into isolation. There was a question if Mitchell Starc will be allowed to play because he was there in Sydney but in self isolation from December 11, so he was allowed to continue," India Today's Consulting Editor Boria Majumdar has infomed.