Hobart to host fifth Ashes Test after beating rival bids from Sydney, Melbourne

A historic bid to snatch the fifth Ashes Test from Melbourne and Sydney has been confirmed following more heavyweight backing.

Hobart is set to host a historic Ashes Test in January.

Cricket Australia confirmed the fifth Ashes Test would be played at Hobart’s Blundstone Arena, with a unanimous board decision to reward the Tasmania fans after cancelling an Afghanistan Test match scheduled for the ground last month.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley announced Hobart had won the right to host the final Test on January 14-18 after “an extremely competitive process” where multiple states and governments expressed an interest in hosting the last Test of the summer.

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Hobart is set to host a historic Ashes Test in January. Picture: Supplied

It will be the first time Tasmania has hosted an Ashes Test and also the first day-night Test in the state, replacing the game that was originally scheduled to be played in Perth.

Hobart had been scheduled to host the first Test of the summer, against Afghanistan last month, but CA postponed the game in protest at the Taliban’s decision to abandon women’s cricket once they assumed control of government in August.

“We are delighted to announce that Blundstone Arena in Hobart will be hosting an Ashes Test match for the first time and thank the Tasmanian Government for its support,” Hockley said.

Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Picture: AFP/Saeed Khan

“I would like to thank all the States and Territories who took part in this process. The submissions we received were outstanding and we had no doubt that each of the venues that took part would have hosted a wonderful event.

“There were a range of considerations, including commercial, logistical and operational factors and 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.

“We also acknowledge the postponement of the Australia and Afghanistan Test due to take place in Hobart earlier in the year played a part in the decision.”