Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW are calling for a resolution to the current rail dispute ahead of the Summer of Cricket’s biggest matches in Sydney.
Any industrial action risks affecting the important New Years Sydney Test match, the final match of the Border Gavaskar Trophy Series being played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7, 2025 – along with a Sydney Thunder BBL fixture in Sydney’s west at ENGIE Stadium on December 30, 2024.
Disruptions ahead of the BBL Sydney Smash at ENGIE Stadium last Saturday meant that a number of ticketholders were unable to attend.
In a joint statement, Cricket Australia Chief Executive Nick Hockley and Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germon, said:
“This is a huge time of year for cricket and our fans, and the Sydney Test is the heart of the summer of cricket in Sydney and NSW.
“Ticket sales for the New Years Test and BBL match have been phenomenal so far and we want fans to have an amazing and seamless experience when visiting the SCG and other venues. We anticipate that over 150,000 fans will attend the SCG across the Test match.
“Huge numbers of people will use public transport to get to and from the matches via the integrated ticketing system in place, including from Sydney’s western suburbs where train travel is imperative.
“The impact will also extend beyond fans with almost 3,000 staff that directly and indirectly work on the Sydney Test potentially affected.
“Major events deliver massive economic benefits for local businesses driven by high levels of visitation – over 15 per cent of attendees at the Test match are expected to be international and intestate visitors, with a large number of fans travelling to Sydney from regional NSW.
“We encourage all parties to come together to settle an outcome that does not adversely impact cricket fans and the broader community.”
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Name of Author: Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW, officially the New South Wales Cricket Association, is the governing body for cricket in New South Wales, Australia. Based at Sydney Olympic Park, it oversees the New South Wales Blues, New South Wales Breakers, Sydney Thunder, and Sydney Sixers.
