Tasmanian cricket great weighs in on Macquarie Point roof debate
Tasmanian cricket great David Boon has weighed into concerns of potential shadows created by a proposed roof at Macquarie Point Stadium. Read here
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Tasmanian cricket icon David Boon has weighed in on the current concerns around the new Macquarie Point stadium design.
Reports emerged last week suggesting Australian and Tasmanian cricket officials want to see the proposed roof redesigned or risk having no games played at the venue.
The concerns surround the effects of shadows cast by the roof’s supporting structure over where the centre wicket would be.
Boon, who is a Cricket Australia board member, said a shadow over the pitch could create distractions for batters.
“At the minute we all know it was a stipulation from the AFL (to have a roof),” Boon said.
“It creates a distraction, even in current stadiums, I say that for instance in Sydney in the transition period when the lights come on.
“Shadowing comes over, it’s quite difficult when it’s part over the pitch.
“So if that was there constantly, I suppose it would be a little bit of an issue.
“From a personal point of view, we have those but that is up to the government, their design structure and what they require.
“Whether that be a roof or not, all I can say is that upon mention of it, both Cricket Australia and the ICC would be excited about something different in World Cricket.
“So we will just have to wait and see.”
As part of the Tasmanian Government’s agreement with the AFL to become the competition’s 19th team, the current 18 club presidents agreed the precinct must have a roof.
‘Will love the pitch’: Aussie star backs huge contest against India
Tasmanian cricket fans can rejoice with international cricket returning to the shores of Hobart next summer.
Australia’s men’s and women’s team will host the biggest cricketing nation, India, at Ninja Stadium in November and February 2026.
Tasmanian cricket legend David Boon said it is an exciting moment for the state and the nation.
“Hobart will host a men's T20 game against India on November 2 and a women’s ODI against India on February 27, both at Bellerive Oval,” Boon said.
“We are very proud to say that we are taking international cricket to 11 cities around Australia next summer
“It’ll be the first time in 17 years that international cricket will be played in every capital city across the country.
“We are very excited to host two international fixtures next year and we hope that all Tasmanians fill the oval as they did for the Big Bash final.
“And we hope to see a packed house for both the international fixtures.”
Australia’s latest Test debutant Beau Webster, who burst onto the scene in the Border-Gavaskar trophy this summer has aspirations of chasing a one day kit.
“No doubt I would love to play all formats for Australia, currently in the Test team which is my main focus but to play a game here at Bellerive in national colours would be a dream,” Webster said.
“We always look forward to playing India, they are a massive cricketing nation and we saw that this summer in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we saw how big it was.
“I think they will love the pitch here, it is fantastic white ball wicket, we have seen for a number of years now the Hurricanes make big scores on it so I think they will be excited to play here.
“Every Tassie boy would love to play Test cricket in their home state, the way it is we have five other venues around the country that are ahead of us.
“But it is an awesome place to play cricket Bellerive, we saw the final, the Hurricanes, just how much support they got and how much the place was rocking, if we got some red ball it would be pretty similar.”
The 2025-26 fixture kicks off with South Africa touring northern Australia in August with three ODIs and three T20s.
Followed by a three ODI series against India and then for the first time ever a five T20 fixture against India which features games in Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
It then goes into Australia’s oldest enemy docking at the shores with the Ashes kicking off in Perth on November 21 with a five Test series finishing in Sydney.
Then it is the Women’s turn with three T20 matches against India kicking off at the SCG on February 15.
It will be followed by three ODIs which will be played at Allan Border Field in Brisbane, Ninja Stadium in Hobart and then CitiPower Centre in Melbourne before the first day/night test match at the WACA in Perth.
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Originally published as Tasmanian cricket great weighs in on Macquarie Point roof debate
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