Is the SCG in trouble?

Steve Waugh on his way out of Test cricket at the SCG earlier this year. Will the venue follow the man? © AFP

It is being suggested that the Sydney Cricket Ground could lose its status as the primary venue for international cricket in New South Wales. ABC Sport has reported that Cricket New South Wales is calling for tenders for a long-term contract to host international and domestic matches. Their contract with the SCG ends in September 2005.

The SCG has long been one of the great venues of international cricket. Cricket has been played there since the 1850s, and it hosted its first Test in 1881-82. A total of 91 Tests have been played there, the most recent being the classic between Australia and India earlier this year, in which Steve Waugh ended his career and Sachin Tendulkar (241 and 60 not out) and Anil Kumble (12 for 279) almost took India to a series-winning victory.

The Olympic Stadium has a capacity of over 80,000, and New South Wales have already played two domestic one-day games there. But can the splendour of the new ground win out over the sense of history that the SCG evokes? Watch this space.