SCG gets cricket makeover

The SCG playing surface area is being totally re-turfed for the first time since 2000 in preparation for the summer of cricket, which features the Ashes tour by England and the One Day International against Sri Lanka.

The re-turfing will also provide an excellent surface ahead Sydney Swans' AFL home games in 2011.

Apart from the re-turfing, fans will experience two new video screen scoreboards as part of the SCG makeover. The new Victor Trumper Stand will be in use for the first time in an Ashes series.

No major re-turfing will be conducted on the centre wicket square which continues to prove the ideal Test cricket wicket.

SCG Trust Chief Executive, Mr Jamie Barkley, said the re-turfing works are now underway and will be completed ahead of NSW's National One Day Cup game against Tasmania on October 22.

"Preliminary works, such as the removal of sprinkler heads and AFL posts, have been completed and the main surface works will take 10 days to be completed," said Mr Barkley.

"The re-turfing will see the SCG presented in fantastic order this summer. It will involve laying 18,000 square metres of washed 'Legend Couch' grass," he said.

The change to the international cricket schedule this summer will see the SCG host its first international when Australia plays Sri Lanka in a One Day fixture on Friday, November 5.

This will be followed by the highly anticipated fifth Test against England at the SCG to be played between January 3-7.

Australia will also play two ODI's against England at the SCG on Sunday, January 23 and Wednesday, February 2.