Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey
Cricket fans usually hold their breath when the SCG New Years’ Test rolls around. Inclement weather has often impacted these matches, and eyes are on the weather forecast (and pitch) ahead of the fifth and final Ashes Test.
In promising news, the SCG weather looks promising, although rain is forecast on day one.
Sydney weather: Will it rain during the 5th Ashes Test at the SCG?
The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) forecasts a “shower or two” with “a thunderstorm likely” with a top of 29 degrees on Sunday (day one). According to the platform, there is a 50% chance of at least 2mm and 25% chance of at least 7mm.
AccuWeather says “watch out for a strong storm in the afternoon”. However, according to its hourly forecast, there will be partly cloudy conditions until 5pm, with less than a 15% chance of precipitation.
Conditions will be just about perfect for the rest of the Test. BOM forecasts a possible storm on day two, but rain is expected to be minimal (0-1). Day three will have a top of 27 degrees with partly cloudy conditions (no chance of rain), while days four (30 degrees) and five (32 degrees) will be warmer with no rain as well.
How will the pitch play?
Cool conditions in the leadup to the Test could see a bowler-friendly pitch early in the match. However, it should settle down into days two and three especially as there will be more sunshine.
Curator Adam Lewis said they will leave about 6mm of grass. This is less than what last year’s pitch had for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test, which was quite a spicy surface.
“We took our learnings from last year [BGT Test],” Lewis said, as quoted by Sydney Morning Herald. “Maybe a bit too much in it on day one. We always get nervous this time of year. This is our grand final. We work months leading into our Test preparation.
“We’re just excited to get there. The only thing we can’t control is the weather. We’re just trying to prepare a pitch that’s a great balance for bat and ball.
“They’re saying [there will be] a bit more sun tomorrow, so that will take the green out of the pitch. We’re really happy with the pitch at the moment.”
