Cricket Tasmania confident Macquarie Point stadium can cater for world’s first roofed Test match
Tasmania could lead the way in a new era of Test cricket with the state’s governing body confident Macquarie Point stadium can play host to a world first.
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While it’s never been done before, Cricket Tasmania Chairman David Boon is confident Tasmania can play host to the first ever Test match under a roofed stadium at Macquarie Point.
Designs for the yet-to-be-constructed stadium were released on Sunday and while much of the focus has been on how it will house Tasmania’s future AFL side, the stadium’s roof height of 51m from the ground and 54m above the playing surface has been specifically designed with the prospect of Test cricket being played at the venue.
Initially a primary concern for cricket, data obtained from tracking firm Hawkeye on the average height trajectory of balls allowed designers to extend the roof’s height and eliminate concerns for red-ball matches being played in a fully-roofed arena.
While he admits testing would have to occur before Test cricket is given the green light, Boon – also an ICC referee – says the likelihood of it occurring is a real possibility.
“We think it’s a very good design,” Boon said.
“They’ve taken all aspects of cricket’s requirements into account. There’s obviously some little things that have to be worked through, but we can play cricket there.
“Red ball cricket is going to have to be tested through possibly some (Sheffield) Shield games in co-operation with Cricket Australia for final approval to see how that works.
“But the bottom line is we will be able to play cricket there and we’re very much looking forward to it.”
Tasmania has been starved of Test cricket across the journey and while Blundstone Arena hosted an Ashes Test just two years ago, Boon believes Macquarie Point as Tasmania’s premier cricket venue gives the state the best chance for regular international fixtures long into the future.
“I think it absolutely gives us ammunition to move forward and really push for more Test cricket in Tasmania,” he said.
“And in doing so, what we’re allowing for is kids to come and watch their heroes in all sorts of sports, in music, the arts and everything that will go into that stadium.”
Cricket Tasmania CEO Dominic Baker added that with designs now available, it had shifted the goalposts for the sport’s future in the state.
“It’s moved us from a speculative opportunity at the stadium into now we know we can play cricket there,” Baker said.
“I think for a while until we knew the detail there was a lot of speculation about a roof (and cricket being played) because it’s not done anywhere else.
“For a little while there we were nervous but now that’s been put to bed.”
With white-ball cricket already played under the roof at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium, the tick-off for the Hobart Hurricanes BBL fixtures to be played at the venue is merely a formality but Baker says a move from Blundstone Arena to Macquarie Point will breathe new life into the summer franchise.
“I think it’s a huge opportunity (for the Hurricanes),” Baker said.
“We’ve seen the (Perth) Scorchers and how they’ve surged based on the use of Optus Stadium, and having a really great place to come and watch the sport that also has a connection to the city.
“I think we could expect, and we would expect, to have an uplift in membership, better patron experience and we’ll have our players really engaged with the new stadium.
“And there’s no such thing as getting washed out anymore, so every game is guaranteed when you buy a membership. I think there is huge upside for playing in a new stadium, particularly for the Hobart Hurricanes because they’re an entertainment-based product.”
Baker confirmed Cricket Tasmania still had desires to construct its own high performance centre as opposed to a more costly redevelopment of Blundstone Arena as cricket-only facility and was hopeful talks with the government would ramp up in the coming months.
Baker added that they would continue to remain in conversation with all the relevant stakeholders on the future of Blundstone Arena should they relocate from the venue.
Cricket Tasmania owns the infrastructure at Blundstone Arena, but leases the grass oval from the Clarence City Council, with the understanding that a sale of the infrastructure at the facility, along with government funding, would be used to fund a new home for the organisation’s growing staff and players.
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