Former Australia Test skipper Tim Paine labelled the SCG pitch as an "absolute disgrace" which was produced for the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Tasmania.
The fatal case was identified as a man in his 80s who was infected at an aged care facility in western Sydney. He was fully vaccinated but had underlying health conditions.
Although limited to people who are fully inoculated, the relaxation in the state of New South Wales, home to Sydney, lifts limits on house guests or outdoor gatherings, among other measures.
State Premier Dominic Perrottet announced that vaccinated travellers who tested negative to Covid-19 before flying to Sydney would be spared 14 days in hotel quarantine from Nov. 1.
Australia’s New South Wales to conduct a pilot program of home quarantine in the next couple of weeks, which could apply to Australians, non-residents and crew for flagship carrier Qantas Airways Ltd, signalling an easing of one of the most hardcore border regimes in the world