Cricket Australia contemplating swapping Sydney and Brisbane Tests of India tour

The Covid-19 outbreak in New South Wales has led to the governing body considering a number of contingency plans to ensure all four Tests go ahead

Australia and India's third and fourth Test meetings at Sydney and Brisbane could be swapped to allow New South Wales time to temper the new Covid-19 outbreak.

After the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the SCG was due to host the third match of the series on January 7-11.

The Gabba is due to stage the fourth and final Test on January 15-19, though the back-end of the calendar could yet be turned on its head.

A 14-day quarantine is now in place for arrivals into Sydney but an extra week could allow the tour to move freely across the country. 

Some residents have been banned from leaving their homes, with a number of exceptions, until next Wednesday (December 23). Meanwhile, household gatherings have been limited to 10 and hospitality venues to 300 after the outbreak grew to 68 in the Northern Beaches area.

"The third Test is more than two-and-a-half weeks away, which provides us with time to assess the evolving public health situation on the northern beaches of Sydney," said Cricket Australia's interim chief-executive Nick Hockley, who remains upbeat about the schedule being unchanged.

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"We have made no changes to our schedule and our preference remains to play the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

"Cricket Australia has developed a solid track record of delivery throughout this most challenging of summers and will continue to make appropriate and proportionate decisions in consultation with our biosecurity team, governments, State & Territory Associations, the Australian Cricketers' Association, our partners and venues."

In stark contrast to the fresh issues being experienced in Sydney, the MCG is due to host at least 30,000 people for the annual Boxing Day Test next week.

Melbourne could even host back-to-back Tests, before the conclusion of the tour moves to Brisbane, if Sydney is deemed unsafe to travel to.

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