SACA boss William Rayner believes new Tasmanian stadium will not affect Adelaide’s Test fixtures

A sparkling new stadium appears all but assured for Tasmania. So what will it mean for the future of major sporting events, including the revered Test match, in Adelaide?

South Australia’s cricket chief believes a new stadium in Tasmania won’t pose a threat to future international Test matches at Adelaide Oval.

The new state-of-the-art stadium could help Tasmania’s case to have one of the at least five international Test matches played each summer held on the Apple Isle.

The Federal Government is set to announce funding that would all but guarantee the construction of the new facility at Macquarie Point, lifting the state’s profile across many sports.

Designs of what Hobart's new stadium at Macquarie Point could look like. Picture: Supplied by the AFL

It could prompt Cricket Australia to explore a rotation system for the Test schedule, but SACA chairman William Rayner dismissed suggestions it would impact Adelaide’s annual match.

“The Adelaide Oval is a premier Test cricket facility and we are very confident it can hold itself against any venue anywhere in the world,” he said.

“Better facilities for Australian cricket is always a good thing, so it’s definitely a positive, but we’re not threatened by it.”

The Gabba is also set to undergo a redevelopment in preparation for the 2032 Olympic Games later this decade – taking it to a 50,000 seat capacity stadium – which would prop up its place on the test calendar.

The Adelaide Oval in all its major event hosting glory during the India v Pakistan match at the 2015 Cricket ODI World Cup. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

“Every sport needs the best facilities right across the country and we’re about building a bigger pie, not worried about our slice of the pie,” Mr Rayner said.

It comes as SACA awaits confirmation on the 2023/24 summer cricket schedule and whether Adelaide will host a Test against West Indies for the second straight year.

It has been rumoured that Adelaide will return to a traditional daytime format to be held in January next year, instead of the day/night fixture.

“My understanding is the schedule will be announced in the middle of May,” he said.

“We’re still working with Cricket Australia and advocating for the best possible result.”