Birmingham: The long-term future of the Boxing Day Test remains in doubt with Cricket Australia and the Melbourne Cricket Club opting to roll over their contract until only the end of next summer.

The hire agreement between cricket’s governing body and the country’s biggest venue has expired and it had initially been hoped a long-term agreement would be in place, ensuring the showcase Test of the summer was locked in.

New Zealand will take on Australia at the MCG this summer, the Black Caps having their first festive-season Test since 1987-88.

But as the cricketing world undergoes change, and India this summer forces Australia to leave the country in January during the height of summer for a short one-day series, Australia is no longer assured of having the summer schedule it has been accustomed to.

It’s understood the MCC and CA remain confident that the Boxing Day Test will be secured long-term but there are other issues to consider, including how much top-line cricket is held at the venue.