British and Irish Lions prepare for MCG debut in second Test

Days out from the second Test between Australia and the British and Irish Lions and Damien Fleming is holding court pitchside at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, its 100,000 seats empty for now.

With both the rugby posts and Aussie Rules sticks up behind him, the former fast bowler is reminiscing about the legendary Shane Warne's hat-trick on the hallowed middle in the 1994 Ashes series against England.

"I just think this is the greatest sporting stadium in the world," reflects Fleming, a proud Victorian who played in two Ashes Tests at his home ground.

"There is an aura about this stadium. It has a wow factor, and I love it."

But despite its name, the MCG is not just a cricket venue. It is the home of Australian Rules football - a religion in these parts - often hosting two or three games a week during the AFL season.

It has staged State of Origin rugby league games and football matches as well as events in the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.

And on Saturday, for the first time, it will be the venue for a British and Irish Lions Test match. The official capacity is 100,024 and this weekend's crowd is expected to surpass the 84,000 that attended the Lions deciders against the Wallabies in Sydney in 2001 and 2013.

"As a kid you are dreaming of playing AFL here as a kid, you are dreaming of playing cricket for Australia," adds Fleming.

"For the Wallabies to have the opportunity to play in front of 90,000 people [is amazing] - but also for the Lions. How many times do they get to play in front of 90,000 people?"

Click here to read article