October 11 Friday 2002
ACB concern over reduced capacity at MCG 

MELBOURNE: The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) expressed concern on Thursday over the reduced capacity of Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the forthcoming Ashes series against England. 

The MCG capacity will drop by about 20,000 to 75,000 as part of ground redevelopment for the 2006 Commonwealth Games. England's five-Test Ashes series against top-ranked Australia starts in Brisbane on November 7, with a triangular limited-overs series including Sri Lanka scheduled to start on December 13 after the first three Tests. 

Australia's day-night match against England on December 15 and the fourth Test, which starts on December 26, are two fixtures likely to attract capacity crowds in Melbourne. 

"That's a concern for us because I think the last time England played here in a one-day match we had 85,000 or something like that," ACB chief executive James Sutherland told reporters on Thursday. 

"That's certainly a concern that (ground capacity) will drop off, but the opportunities are there and people will have to get in early. At the end of the day, the facility will be a fantastic one for cricket. "The interest in this Ashes series, not just for the Boxing Day Test but for all the other matches around the country, is incredibly high."