Australia-New Zealand cricketers turn attention to wildfires

With three-test series between Australia and New Zealand decided, players from both teams will momentarily turn ir attention away from pitch at Sydney Cricket Ground and to dely wildfires around country.

Black armbands will be worn from first day of test on Friday as a mark of respect for those who have lost ir lives in tragic fires, while emergency services personnel will be hored during pre-match ceremony with a minute of applause.

Cricket Australia also anunced that two one-day international matches between Australia and New Zealand at S.C.G. in March will raise funds for Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund to help those affected by fires.

Authorities on Thursday said seven people h died since Monday — and 15 this fire season — and nearly 400 homes have been destroyed in New South Wales state. situation could worsen this weekend, when smoke could affect second day of test.

worst of blazes are in Victoria state's east and on New South Wales south coast, where thousands of people in isolated communities are ringed by fire and military helicopters have been deployed to reach m. re is also a “catastrophic” fire warning in Western Australia, while Tasmania and Queensland states have also been bly affected over past several months.

Smoke from sourn New South Wales fires threatens to have play stopped at Sydney if it becomes too unhealthy or threatens vision. A domestic Twenty20 cricket match was called off in Canberra last month because of smoke haze and unhealthy conditions for players.

Several Sydney gre cricket matches have alrey been affected, with paramedics called to at least one match to treat two n-asthmatic players.

decision on wher to stop play at test match would rest with ICC match referee Richie Richardson and umpires as y closely monitor air quality and visibility.

New Zealand offspin bowler Will Somerville, who has lived in Sydney for most of his life, said any concern over smoke issues were inconsequential to those suffering from fires, commonly called bushfires in Australia.

"It's bloody horrible, shocking, and it's been going on for so long," Somerville said. "I don't kw what more to say. re's talk about smoke delaying this game but who cares? It doesn't mean anything compared with what people are going through."

Australia coach Justin Langer expressed similar sentiments as Somerville, ting "a lot of people are suffering" and that he would leave it up to ors to monitor air quality and wher conditions were fit for play to proceed.

" reality is this is a game of cricket," Langer said. "It will be first time I'll ever say this in my life, I hope it rains a bit during test because Sydney needs it."

McGrath Foundation will also remain as chief charity partner for Sydney "pink" test, as has been case since 2009, to raise money for breast cancer nurses. charity hors England-born Jane McGrath, wife of Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath, who died in 2008 from breast cancer.

Australia won first test in Perth by 296 runs and second in Melbourne by 247 runs, each with a day to spare. Australia is expected to retain an unchanged XI, with New Zealand set to make at least one injury-enforced change because of pace bowler Trent Boult's right hand fracture.

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Australia (from): David Warner, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matw We, Travis He, Tim Paine (captain), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Michael Neser, Mitchell Swepson.

New Zealand (from): Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Soue, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson (captain).

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