At least 26 full days have been washed out at the SCG as the traditional New Year’s Test is played during one of the city’s rainiest months

Even if it doesn’t rain at the New Year’s Test this year, and the forecast a day before the first ball is promising, history suggests it would be safer to hold the match earlier in the cricket season. At least 26 full days of play have been rained out at the Sydney Test since the 1880s, according to ABC statistician Ric Finlay.

That’s three times more lost days than in Melbourne, which has hosted more matches. And even a higher rate than subtropical Brisbane which was hit by storms during the third Test against India last month.