Punters snap up tickets to Tasmanian Ashes Test
Tasmanians have hit a six in the ticket-buying spree for the Fifth Ashes Test, with the state’s cricket boss urging those who missed out not to worry ahead of a fresh ticket release. TICKETS >>
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TASMANIANS have hit a six in the ticket-buying spree for the Fifth Ashes Test at Blundstone Arena in January and cricket boss Dominic Baker could not be more proud.
The first two days of the Test are sold out and tickets for days three and four and almost gone too after tickets went on sale on Monday.
Not to worry, said Baker, CEO of Cricket Tasmania, as a “smattering” of seats were still available and a fresh ticket release would be made after Christmas.
The strong ticket take-up showed how Tasmanians longed for their first home Test match since 2016 and to get an Ashes Test for the first time was an unexpected Christmas gift.
“We were really happy with Monday. It was really great,” Baker said.
“It was also really great for our long-suffering members to be able to pick up tickets for an Ashes Test _ yesterday was their day.
“It has all been really positive. The Ticketek site was great and we had extra staff on to cater for sales at the ground so it all went pretty smoothly.”
Some ticket re-sale sites appeared to offer Hobart Test tickets for well above the cover price, but Baker said that was not an issues Cricket Tasmania were focused on.
“We are not really hearing that,” Baker said.
“We’ve still got tickets to release as well, and that’s the reason you do that, to avoid any re-selling where possible.”
He urged fans to take up tickets still available.
“A lot of the ticket inventory for days one, two, three and four has gone. A lot of the prime seating got snapped up, so it was really strong.
“There is still a smattering of seating available in all sections around the ground, but they are only a smattering of tickets.
“A lot of people booked in groups _ like 10 tickets in a row because people are going with their family or friends or groups of mates.
“There are a few seats available _ a lot of ones and twos but the vast majority of tickets have been picked up.
“There will be another release after Christmas, which will be based mostly around the $30 tickets for the more accessible seats.
“When we hear back from Cricket Australia the numbers of their people who aren’t coming, we can put those tickets back into the market as well.”
Howzat! Sellout crowd to kick off Tassie Ashes Test
TASMANIANS have put their money where their mouth is with general admission tickets for the first two days of the fifth Ashes Test already sold out.
Tickets to the highly anticipated Hobart Test went on sale to the general public on Monday at 4pm and less than two hours later the first two days were completely exhausted with day three also experiencing high sales.
Cricket Tasmania CEO Dom Baker said it was an exciting time for Tasmanian cricket fans.
“I got into work this morning at 8am and we already had some of our long-suffering members queued up behind me here ready to go,” he said.
“There’s certainly been huge excitement about the opportunity to come and witness an Ashes Test ... this is history in the making,” he said.
“This is different (to past Test matches), this is the Ashes and this is what cricket and Australia is all about.
“It’s probably one of the world’s biggest sporting rivalries and regardless of what the score line is people want to see Ashes cricket.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said he was delighted Tasmanian cricket fans were showing such strong interest in the first ever Ashes Test in Tasmania.
“Since announcing that the ... Test will be hosted at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, we have received huge interest to attend the match from cricket fans both in Tasmania and right across Australia,” he said.
“Tickets went on sale today and judging by the initial take up, we encourage fans to get in quick to avoid missing out.”
The fifth Ashes Test will come to Blundstone Arena from January 14-18 with capacity at the venue capped at 14,000 people.
For tickets visit premier.ticketek.com.au
Big demand as Tassie Ashes tickets go on sale
Cricket Tasmania members have flocked to Blundstone Arena this morning to be the first to get their hands on tickets to the hotly anticipated fifth Ashes Test to be held in Hobart in January.
Tickets went on sale for CT members from 11am while Australian Cricket Family members will have access from 2pm before the general public get their first crack at 4pm.
Kevin Richmond of Bellerive and his grandson Samuel Braid, 11, were two patrons patiently waiting in line this morning to get their tickets to Tasmania’s inaugural Ashes Test.
Mr Richmond has been a Cricket Tasmania member for nearly 40 years and said he couldn’t wait to experience an Ashes Test in his own backyard.
“I think it’s a tremendous thing for Hobart and Tasmania as a whole.
“The line and people here already lined up is an example here today that people will get along and support it and it’s going to be fantastic when it finally comes around.”
Cricket Tasmania CEO Dom Baker said it was an exciting day for Tasmanian cricket lovers.
“I got into work this morning at 8am and we already had some of our long suffering members queued up behind me here ready to go,” he said.
“There’s certainly been huge excitement about the opportunity to come and witness an Ashes Test.
“I think Tasmanians will vote with their feet- this is history in the making,” he said.
Mr Baker said there was already enormous corporate interest in the Test and was expecting similar with the general public as tickets became accessible.
“There’s been really strong demand and a strong corporate demand.
“We are expecting the first three days of the Test to be fully booked corporately which is a huge result and we think the first three days from a general sales perspective will not only be very strong but sold out.
“This is different (to past Test matches), this is the Ashes and this is what cricket and Australia is all about.
“It’s probably one of the world’s biggest sporting rivalries and regardless of what the score line is people want to see Ashes cricket.”
The fifth Ashes Test will come to Blundstone Arena in Hobart from January 14-18 with capacity at the venue capped at around 14,000 people.
Massive rush expected for Tassie Ashes tickets
AVID cricket fans will need luck and technology on their side to score tickets to the hotly anticipated Ashes Test.
Lovers of the game from Tasmania and interstate will race to buy tickets to the major summer event when they go on sale on Monday.
The fifth test in the Ashes series will come to Blundstone Arena from January 14-18.
Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker said the sporting body was “really excited” for sales to begin.
“For a lot of Tasmanians I think being able to purchase their seats will make the fact that we have an Ashes Test in Hobart feel very real,” he said.
The excitement around the historic first Ashes Test in Hobart extended to former Tasmanian cricket star Shaun Young, who played for Australia in the final Test of the 1997 Ashes series at The Oval.
“To have an Ashes Test in Hobart is great for the state and great for the game of cricket and for the young players to go along and watch the traditional form of the game,” Young said.
“When I played it was a massive honour of being selected to play for Australia.
“Hopefully, the next generation of Australian players will attend the Ashes Test.”
Baker said it would be wise to jump online quickly to avoid disappointment.
“Tickets to the Test will be hot property and I can’t see them sticking around for long when they go on sale,” he said.
“Since the announcement we’ve been overwhelmed with requests for hospitality and tickets from Tasmania and around the country.”
Ticket sales for the general public begin at 4pm on Monday, but Baker’s tip was to sign up for free to become an Australian Cricket Family member to access the early bird sale at 2pm.
An even earlier sale for Cricket Tasmania members will open at 11am.
Tickets range from $30 to $100 and will be available via Ticketek at premier.ticketek.com.au
For information visit cricket.com.au/tickets
Score tickets to Tasmania’s first Ashes Test
TASMANIANS get ready to hit your phones and devices on Monday when tickets go on sale for the state’s first Ashes Test.
The fifth Test, also the state’s first pink ball day/night match, from January 14-18 is expected to be close to a full house, especially with the first three days being a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets for Cricket Tasmania members will go on sale Monday from 11am followed by tickets for the Australian Cricket Family and Partner presale and then the general public from 4pm.
CT chief executive Dominic Baker said the phones have been running hot even with about ticket availability
“I can’t wait for the rush as we have had thousands of inquiries,” Baker said.
“Tickets will range from $30 on the hill at entry level through to $100 in a reserve at the top of the spectrum, with concession, child and family tickets all available for purchase through Ticketek.”
It is understood the chance to witness history at Blundstone Arena has already caught the corporate world’s attention, with demand vastly outstripping supply for the clash between cricket’s oldest rivals.
Covid restrictions will see Blundstone’s capacity reduced from about 18,000 to 14,000, with the famous hill to be hardest hit.
Interstate critics have been quick to point out lower attendances for previous Hobart Test matches, but Baker said this was a completely different ball game.
“I think we can disregard all crowd numbers from the past because an Ashes Test is something absolutely special,” Baker said.
“I think the day/night format really plays into our hands.
“The sun doesn’t go down in Hobart in the middle of summer to 8.30-9pm so I don’t even know if we will need the lights.
“This a great format, it gives people the opportunity to go out in the morning and then settle in for a great day/night of cricket.
“I’m really excited that format will really suit Tasmania.”
For information visit cricket.com.au/tickets
Wade eyes sporting boom in wake of Tassie Ashes Test
HOBART Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade hopes the relocated fifth Test can kickstart a sporting boom in Tasmania after Blundstone Arena was picked to replace Perth’s Optus Stadium for the final Ashes Test.
Premier Peter Gutwein said it would be the biggest sporting event in the state’s history, and it has the potential to reach that level if the series is still on the line next month.
This will be the first time Hobart has hosted an Ashes Test and it will be the state’s first Test since 2016 when Australia was humbled by South Africa.
Tasmania has been calling out for more sport – especially an AFL team – and there’s already a buzz around the place after the JackJumpers entered the NBL this season.
But an Ashes Test looms as the Holy Grail, and a packed-out stadium could show other sporting administrators that Tasmania is serious about its future.
“I’m just really happy for the Tasmanian people that they can go and watch an Ashes Test match,” said Wade, who was born in Hobart.
“It’s really good signs for what Tassie is trying to achieve in sport down there.
“Obviously, there’s no secret that we’d love to get our own AFL team there, so to get a big match like the fifth Test of the Ashes is a step in the right direction for Tassie people.
“They’re passionate about their sport, and it’s great to see them get the reward to go and watch.
“We need the people now to show how big it is and turn up for the game. Hopefully we can make it a really good spectacle of the last Test.”
Wade was in sublime touch for the Hurricanes on Saturday night, spanking a fluent 93 off 46 deliveries in his man-of-the-match performance as Hobart beat the Sixers at the SCG.
The wintry conditions in Sydney served as a taste of what’s to come in Hobart for the day/night Test, and Wade says the chilly conditions down south could spice things up for a ball that traditionally moves around.
“I haven’t played a pink ball game down there,” he said.
“It might get a bit chilly because it gets cold down there, but whether that plays a factor with the swing, I’m not 100 per cent sure.”
Punter’s thrill at Ashes on his home turf
TASMANIAN cricket icon Ricky Ponting hoped his home state would get the Ashes Test on offer, but deep down didn’t believe it would happen.
Years of seeing Hobart overlooked had Ponting accustomed to neglect when it came to international cricket fixtures.
So he was as shocked as anyone when Cricket Australia awarded the Test to the venue where his own statue stands and the main grandstand bears his name.
“It’s awesome news for Tasmania,” Ponting told the Sunday Tasmanian.
“I really wanted this to happen but deep down thought it was unlikely — and it’s a day-night Test too.”
Ponting said the match finishing under the Blundstone Arena lights each day would only add to the spectacle of the state’s first Ashes Test.
“The pink ball is going to move around at night,” he said.
“It will be a classic Test that no one should miss watching.”
Ponting’s former Test teammate Jason Gillespie was just as enthusiastic about the announcement.
“Great news that Hobart has an Ashes Test!” Gillespie tweeted.
“Great decision for the game. So pleased for Tasmania!”
Cricket Tasmania chief executive Dominic Baker said the state had a huge groundswell of support across the country in edging out Melbourne to host the match originally scheduled for Perth.
“I’ve got to say there was overwhelming support out there in the cricket community for Tasmania to host this Test and certainly had a lot of the CEOs and the other states reach out to say how fantastic it is for cricket,” Mr Baker said.
“For those like (David) Boon and Ponting and (George) Bailey and (Tim) Paine and (Matthew) Wade, all our Test match heroes, to have the game here is also very special for them.
“For Tassie cricket it is a huge endorsement we are moving in the right direction as an organisation, it is a huge endorsement we can deliver when asked.”
Mr Baker said two days of celebrating the announcement would be followed by four weeks of hard work to prepare the ground and create an atmosphere befitting Tasmania’s biggest sporting event.
It is hoped tickets for the fifth Test will go on sale by the end of this week.
Meanwhile, the fenced-in pens that were used during the T20 World Cup are an option for Hobart’s Ashes Test as Cricket Tasmania looks for ways to maintain the hill in a Covid-safe environment.
The venue’s capacity will be reduced from 18,000 to just under 14,000 to meet Covid protocols.
While the seated areas will remain the same, the enclosed glassed-in areas and the hill will be affected by density restrictions.
The hill, a fan favourite area for families and fans during cricket matches, will be reduced in capacity from about 4000 to 700.
“That is something we will look at and a whole range of things for that area (the hill) but it is something that makes us different, so we want to celebrate that too.”
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