The Melbourne Cricket Ground's head curator Matt Page was seen rolling a second pitch during the lunch break of Day 2 at the third Ashes Test between Australia and England.
While the curator reportedly told The Daily Telegraph that he was simply getting it ready for a Big Bash League game between the Melbourne Stars and Melbourne Renegades on January 3, it has set tongues wagging over the possibility of the Sydney Test being moved to Melbourne.
With the Australian east coast COVID outbreak escalating at a rapid pace, it's understood the English camp will refuse to go into any further restrictions than those they are currently under.
Their own COVID outbreak, where three members of staff, and three people within the wider family group, have now tested positive to COVID, have only complicated matters.
Cricket Australia are also believed to be wary given the outbreak in the camp would have likely seen the game cancelled under current rules in the state, while Victoria simply needed the players to take a negative rapid test before being able to play on Day 2.
The publication are reporting that the New South Wales government will alter their rules to mirror Victoria's before the commencement of the Test, however, the risk of travel - and for broadcast staff to be on commercial flights - still remains.
Nick Hockley, CEO of Cricket Australia, yesterday said the plan to play the final two Tests in Sydney and Hobart was still in place with assurances from each state government that restrictions wouldn't increase on players, and exemptions could be granted to teams due to the nature of the bubble the series is being played in.
Michael Vaughan and Shane Warne both spoke of the need for the remainder of the series to be played in Melbourne yesterday on Fox Cricket and while Cricket Australia haven't made any announcement, or even hinted at that being a likely situation yet, questions will continue to be asked so long as the COVID outbreak picks up pace.
Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test gets underway at 10:30am.
