At least 26 full days of play have been washed out at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during New Year's Tests since the 1880s, according to ABC statistician Ric Finlay. This is three times more lost days than at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which has hosted more matches, and even exceeds the rate in subtropical Brisbane.
Analysis of ESPN scorecards shows rain-related delays, stoppages, or early stumps on 31 separate days at the Sydney Test since 2000. More Sydney Tests were affected by rain than not, and six of the seven draws during this period were in rain-affected games.
Sydney's high rainfall is a key factor. The city averages more than 1,200mm of rain per year, more than double Adelaide and Melbourne, and even exceeds Brisbane. Dr Andrew King, a climate scientist from the University of Melbourne, explains that Sydney's summer rainfall is driven by easterly winds and thunderstorms, which are more severe in summer.
Despite these issues, Hobart has lost only one full day to rain across 14 Test matches, even though it experiences more rain days. The data suggests that holding the Test earlier in the season might reduce disruptions, as matches in October have seen fewer rain interruptions.
