SCG's new stand delayed

The new $186m Sydney Cricket Ground pavilion, replacing the existing Noble, Bradman and Messenger stands, won't be finished in time for the 2014 Ashes test match.

The new three-tiered modern pavilion will provide much-needed facilities to the famous Sydney venue, and in particular SCG members, but not everything will be in place for the biggest annual event at the venue.

Instead, it looks likely to be complete for the historic two-game opening series of the 2014 Major League Baseball season between the LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks in late March, or the start of the 2014 AFL season.

The latest update from the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust tells fans to expect to see some temporary facilities at the Sydney match on January 3.

"While practical completion for the new stands is expected early in 2014, we are working towards opening the majority of facilities for day one of the Test Match," it said.

Spokesman for the trust, Greg Campbell, said while the seats would be installed and the roof would be on, the new facility was never expected to be 100% completed for the Ashes test match.

"It was always going to be operational for the Test match this year. That's the goal and that will be met. Finished and operational are two different things." he said.

It was a different story back in January 2012 when the upgrade was announced however, with the SCG capital works website still stating "Work commenced soon after the Australia v India One Day International on 26 February 2012 and will be finished ahead of the Ashes Test match between Australia and England in January 2014."

Regardless, the facilities will be a big improvement of the former stands which once stood in place of the current construction zone and once complete, will bring the venue back up there with Australia's best. Capacity of the SCG will be 48,000.