The staging of a February trial match at NSO would require the temporary removal of the drop-in cricket pitch, which would cost an estimated $90,000.
The Bears have offered to cover the cost of the works in addition to $10,000 compensation to assist clubs such as North Sydney District Cricket Club with having to move their remaining home matches, as well as Sydney first grade finals fixtures, away from NSO.
NSW Cricket have so far been unwilling to effectively bring a premature end to the cricket season at NSO, instead quoting a figure closer to $200,000 to reinstall the cricket square immediately after the trial game.
At a jersey unveiling at the ground this week, North Sydney Bears chairman Daniel Dickson pled for Cricket NSW to play their role in facilitating a long-awaited moment in Australian sporting history.
“This game would be a very historic moment – there would be 12,000 inside the ground and another 10,000 outside. It's something that history needs to write," Dickson said.
“There have been a lot of patient people waiting for a long time, so if that is what it's going to cost us, then we're more than happy to do that. We would apologise to Cricket NSW for putting them in this situation. But if you look at what is the right thing to do, this is the right thing to do.
“The logistics of bringing this game to life, if we could, involves a large fee in taking the pitch out. What we're suggesting is that we would love to pay that.
“I understand we would displace some cricket clubs post that, but we would be happy to give a contribution to their club for not being able to play at NSO.”
The Perth Bears are not likely to play a Premiership match at NSO due to its limited capacity and facilities for spectators and players, meaning a potential pre-season game could be the team's first and only chance of the year to complete a homecoming.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
