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Shane Warne call that will haunt Cricket Australia with rain likely to ruin third Test at Gabba

The Australian cricket legend's plea fell on deaf ears.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·3-min read

If Cricket Australia had simply listened to Shane Warne, the Aussies might be better placed to take a 2-1 series lead against India. Instead, they're facing the seemingly impossible task of trying to take 16 wickets in two days of play set to be interrupted by more rain.

After the first day at the Gabba was almost entirely washed out (only 13 overs were bowled) and day three saw seven separate rain delays, India went to stumps on Monday at 4-51. After making 445 in their first innings, Australia will be hoping to enforce the follow-on and take 16 wickets across the final two days to snare victory.

But more rain is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, which appear likely to produce the same stop-start conditions that we saw on Monday. It means the Aussies will be hard-pressed trying to take 16 wickets in limited time on the field.

Shane Warne alongside Aussie Test players at the Gabba.
Shane Warne wanted the Brisbane Test moved from December to January. Image: Getty

But if Cricket Australia simply heeded the words of the late, great Warne, the current Test might be much drier because it wouldn't be in Brisbane in the first place. Speaking back in January of 2022 - just a few months before his tragic death - Warne suggested the Brisbane and Sydney Tests should be switched around in the schedule.

Warne was predominantly talking about the Sydney Test because the match in January is always affected by rain. But the spin king also suggested December wasn't the best time to hold the Brisbane Test.

Umpires and grounds staff during a rain delay at the Gabba.
The third day at the Gabba was interrupted by seven rain delays. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images)

Warne said the SCG Test should be played in December (when rain is less likely in Sydney), and the Gabba Test in January. “It’s better weather (at the start of the season) than it is in the first week of January,” Warne said in Sydney in 2022.

“It just seems to always rain in the Test match. It’s such a beautiful venue, such a beautiful city. Imagine if the tourists, and any opposition team, came here to Sydney and had 10 days on the harbour and loosening up, getting ready and then play the first Test in Sydney rather than the fourth Test always in the New Year.

“Maybe it’s time for a change. I know Australia won’t want to lose that first Test match in Brisbane, but it hasn’t been that well attended the Brisbane Test match either. Whereas maybe Brisbane could be the New Year Test match and Sydney could be the first one.”

Last summer the Brisbane Test was actually held in January - and the match between Australia and Wesr Indies produced a result in dry conditions. But this summer the Gabba Test was moved back to December where it's traditionally held, which was thought to be better for the pitch as it would be fresher and produce more pace and bounce.

But maybe it's time to listen to Warnie and schedule the Tests a bit smarter. The conditions in Sydney this week have been absolutely perfect, with temperatures in the mid-30s and not a drop of rain in sight. Hindsight is always 20/20, but administrators seem too intent on sticking with tradition rather than changing things.

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Unfortunately it won't be happening anytime soon, with the timing of the SCG and MCG Tests locked in until 2030 as part of a new deal. “The Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day has become an important event for so many,” NSW Sports Minister Steve Kamper said in August. “Locking in the Test for another seven years will allow this great tradition to grow and protect the important legacy of this fixture."

Seven of the last eight Test matches at the SCG have been interrupted by rain, with four of those ending in draws. In 2016 there where only 11 overs bowled across days two, three and four.