MELBOURNE, Oct 10: The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) expressed concern on Thursday over the reduced capacity of Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) for the forthcoming Ashes series against England.

The MCG capacity will drop by about 20,000 to 75,000 as part of ground redevelopment for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Australia’s day-night match against England on Dec 15 and the fourth Test, which starts on Dec 26, are two fixtures likely to attract capacity crowds in Melbourne.

“That’s a concern for us because I think the last time England played here in a one-day match we had 85,000 or something like that,” ACB chief executive James Sutherland told reporters Thursday.—Reuters