As Cricket Australia continues to count the cost of the rain-hit Brisbane Test – both on and off the field – there may be a further dark cloud looming ahead of one of the most important days of the year. The New Year’s Pink Test in Sydney has been a rain magnet for the past eight years, with seven of the eight matches played in that period losing time to the weather.

Overall, 25 full days of cricket have been lost to rain at the SCG since it began hosting Test matches more than a century ago. That’s by far the most of any Australian venue, with the MCG next on the list with nine washed out days.

It prompted leg-spinning great Shane Warne to suggest in 2022 that the Sydney Test should be moved to a December time-slot in the hope of better weather. His call was ignored, with both the Sydney and Melbourne Boxing Day Tests locked in on the cricketing calendar until at least 2030.

And it appears that loyalty is set to be rewarded – at least for the potentially series-deciding Border-Gavaskar Test starting in Sydney on January 3. Long-range weather forecaster ‘Accuweather’ is predicting mainly fine conditions in the Harbour City for the first week of January.

There may be a small amount of rain on day one of the Test – rated a 55 per cent or less chance – and clear conditions for day two. But it’s day three – Jane McGrath Day – that will have officials nervous.

‘Accuweather’ predicts January 5 will be “cloudy and humid with a couple of showers and a thunderstorm”, with up to 10mm of rain predicted. It would come as a sad blow for Aussie legend Glenn McGrath if the annual day of celebration for his wife Jane and her fundraising efforts was hampered again – as we’ve seen a number of times in recent years.

Jane McGrath Day sees fans flock to the SCG wearing pink, raising valuable funds for breast cancer research and breast care nurses. But the fickle Sydney weather sometimes sees spectators stay away, meaning the occasion isn’t as big as it should be.

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While any long-range forecast cannot guarantee complete accuracy, Accuweather’s early prediction will leave Cricket Australia bosses anxiously watching the skies. It’s understood the governing body was forced to pay more than $1 million in refunds after just 13 overs were bowled on the opening day of the Gabba Test.

Constant rain over the next four days cost Australia, who were in control for most of the game, any chance of claiming a victory to go 2-1 up in the series. With big crowds expected for the MCG and SCG Tests, CA will be desperately hoping to avoid further payouts and disruptions – especially on Jane McGrath Day.

Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird recently told Yahoo Sport Australia: “The weather is one thing out of our control but I don’t think anyone can argue the Sydney Test doesn’t work in its current timeslot. It’s one of Test cricket’s great venues and the fact it’s intrinsically linked to the Jane McGrath Foundation just adds another layer to the occasion.”

As holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, India only has to win in either Melbourne or Sydney to retain the crown. The Aussies need to win the series outright to gain the trophy, leaving a 1-1 or 2-2 draw of no use to them.