Ashes 2021-22: Hobart To Host Final Test, First Time To Stage An Ashes Match
Published - 11 Dec 2021, 11:50 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:02 AM
Cricket Australia on Saturday announced that Bellerive Oval (Blundstone Arena) in Hobart will host the fifth Ashes Test which will be a pink-ball affair starting on January 14.
This would be the first time the state of Tasmania will host an Ashes Test match in Hobart and the first at the venue after five years. The last time Australia played a Test in Hobart was against South Africa in 2016, which they lost by an innings and 80 runs.
CA considered Blunstoner Arena the most appropriate venue for the fifth Ashes Test
The fifth Test was initially supposed to be hosted in Perth but owing to border restrictions amid COVID-19, CA shifted the game to Hobart.
“We considered a range of factors, including commercial, logistical and operational considerations,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said.
“On the balance of these, the CA board agreed on Blundstone Arena being the most appropriate venue to host the fifth Vodafone Men’s Ashes Test match.
“We also acknowledge the postponement of the Australia and Afghanistan Test due to be played in Hobart earlier in the year played a part in the decision,” he added.
Great day for Tasmania: Dominic Baker
Cricket Tasmania CEO Dominic Baker said that the fifth Ashes Test will be the biggest sporting event Tasmania would be hosting.
“This is a great day not just for Tasmanian cricket, but for Tasmania in general. This will be without a doubt the biggest sporting event Tasmania has ever hosted,” Baker said in a statement.
“While the circumstances that have led us to be able to have the opportunity to host this Test are undoubtedly unique, we are thrilled that Tasmanians will have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness an Ashes Test in their own backyard,” he further added.
Apart from the Hobart Test, the second Test match at the Adelaide Oval will also be a pink-ball Day-Night Test.
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Nick Hockley
