Australia captain Tim Paine urged broadcast and events staff to make the “small sacrifice” of heading into a bio-bubble so that the third and penultimate Test versus India can go ahead in Sydney from January 7 as scheduled.

The recent Covid-19 spike in New South Wales notwithstanding, Cricket Australia is making all efforts to ensure that the SCG can host the Test.

“If that’s what it takes to get the Sydney Test up and going, then whilst it’s not ideal, I think it’s a small sacrifice for everyone to make,” Paine said at Friday’s virtual media conference facilitated by Sony Pictures Sports Network.

“I know the boys would certainly be excited to have another few people into the hub to talk to, as I think we’re getting sick of each other,”

he quipped. “If we get a few more people that we can chat to, I think it would be good fun. But that’s a decision they’ll have to make. As I’ve said before, the hub life is not that bad as it’s not like we’re in jail or anything like that.

“It’s still a pretty good way of living. I don’t think any of us can complain,” Paine added.

Known for more than a decade as the “Pink Test” for the McGrath Foundation, Paine acknowledged the Sydney Test was a special event of the Australian cricket summer.

“There’s no doubt the New Year’s Test in Sydney is a huge part of the Australian summer. And for our team, we’ve got so many guys from Sydney and New South Wales who love playing in front of their home crowds and having their families around.”

Aus mantra

Keeping India under the pump is Australia’s mantra going into the Boxing Day Test. Learning a lesson from the final Ashes Test last year, which denied them a series victory, the Australians want to ensure they don’t take their foot off the pedal.

“We can’t play again to mental scars or whatever people are talking about. We know India are a proud cricketing nation. They are an extremely talented Test-match side with lots of dangerous players.

“We saw against England (last year) that we can come unstuck pretty quickly.

A huge focus after that Test has been on winning after winning and our attitude towards the next game and since last week has been fantastic,” Paine emphasised.