Test cricket returns to Hobart with historic first Test match against Afghanistan
From Boonie facing the first ball and Punter’s double ton, to being thrashed by South Africa, ADAM SMITH takes a look at the most memorable moments in Tassie Test cricket.
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TASMANIA’S five-year wait for Test cricket will end later this year when Australia hosts Afghanistan in the first five-day encounter between the two nations.
It will be the 14th Test in Hobart, with the hosts boasting a strong nine-win, two-draw and two-loss record at Blundstone Arena.
There have been plenty of highlights from each of the previous matches and ADAM SMITH digs into the archives to relive some of the memorable moments.
v SRI LANKA 1989-90
The first ever Test in Tasmania began on December 16 when an Allan Border-led outfit took on Sri Lanka. Hometown hero David Boon faced the historic first ball, while also registering the first run and top scoring with 41 in the first innings. The Australians took control in the second through centuries to Mark Taylor, Dean Jones and Steve Waugh, setting up an eventual 173-run win.
v NEW ZEALAND 1993-94
Four years after the first ever Test, Australia returned to Hobart to host trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand. It was a batting feast as Australia piled on 6-544-dec in the first innings with Michael Slater, Mark Waugh and crowd favourite Boon all chalking up centuries. The country’s tweakers Tim May (5-65 and 2-45) and Shane Warne (3-36 and 6-31) then took over, sharing 16 wickets between them to spin the hosts to victory by an innings and 222 runs.
v PAKISTAN 1995-96
Australian openers Mark Taylor and Michael Slater broke open a tight contest after the side held a 67-run first innings lead. The two openers combined for a 120-run first wicket stand, with Taylor (123) going on to score his second century in Hobart. In the absence of Warne, Glenn McGrath stepped to the plate, taking 5-61 to help secure a 155-run win.
v NEW ZEALAND 1997-98
Australia’s winning streak in Tasmania ended at the hands of the Kiwis, who held on for a draw in a thrilling finish. In a rain-affected match in which only 15 overs were bowled on day one, the contest appeared headed for a stalemate when New Zealand had faced only 45 overs in its first innings by stumps on day three. But by the final day, Australia had set the visitors a target of 288 from 61 overs, and were on track for victory when they reduced NZ to 9-222. However, tailenders Simon Doull and Shayne O’Connor survived the final 38 minutes to deny Shane Warne (5-88).
v PAKISTAN 1999-00
Few will ever forget the day Adam Gilchrist arrived on the Test scene. In just his second Test after replacing Ian Healy, Gilchrist walked to the wicket late on day four to join Justin Langer with the hosts in trouble at 5-126 chasing 369.
Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis had the ball swinging and Saqlain Mushtaq was bamboozling Australia with his doosra. Remarkably Gilchrist (149 not out) and Langer (127) combined for a 238-run partnership to push the side to a then world record fourth-innings run chase, setting the wheels in motion for the country to reel off 16 straight Test victories.
v NEW ZEALAND 2001-02
Another match severely affected by rain, with just 229.2 overs managed. But on day one – the only complete day – Australia piled on 6-411 from 90 overs in a batting masterclass. Ricky Ponting recovered from a pair in his last Hobart Test to crack an unbeaten 157, with Justin Langer (123), Matthew Hayden (91) and even Shane Warne (70) also cashing in. The Kiwis finished their first innings 7-243, which came across the final three days.
v WEST INDIES 2005-06
Having been forced to bide his time to make his Test debut, Michael Hussey wasted little time in confirming his ability at the highest level. In just his second Test the elegant left hander smacked 137, combining with Matthew Hayden (110) in a 231-run opening stand after the visitors had been skittled for 149. It set the tone for the country’s nine wicket win.
v SRI LANKA 2007-08
Another seemingly comfortable victory for Australia (96 runs) but it was the arguably the efforts of Kumar Sangakkara that stole the headlines. First innings centuries from Phil Jacques and Michael Hussey powered the home side to 5-542-dec, and by the time Sri Lanka started its second innings it was chasing 507.
At 8-290 the match was gone – or so it seemed – before Sangakkara compiled a brilliant 192 thanks to some resistance from Lasith Malinga (42 not out). The visitors were even daring to dream of the most miraculous of wins until Sangakkara was controversially given out caught when the ball appeared to miss the edge of his bat and strike his shoulder.
v PAKISTAN 2009-10
Test skipper Ricky Ponting had been struggling with the bat as he descended on his home ground in January of 2010, before receiving a massive dose of luck. Early on day one, Ponting top edged a pull shot, which ballooned to Mohammed Aamir at fine leg, only for the Pakistan quick to spill the simplest of chances. The Tasmanian, who was yet to get off the mark, went on to bludgeon the first double century at Blundstone Arena, cracking 25 boundaries in his 209.
v NEW ZEALAND 2011-12
A nine-match unbeaten streak in Hobart came to an end on a seam-friendly pitch that was dubbed the “incredible hulk” by media. In a low-scoring affair, Australia was set 240 in the final innings, a target that despite the difficult batting conditions seemed within reach while David Warner (123 not out) was at the crease. In the end, Warner ran out partners, Australia fell seven runs short with Doug Bracewell’s 6-40 enough to help the Kiwis become the first visiting side to conquer Hobart.
v SRI LANKA 2012-13
Normal order was restored the following summer with Australia beating Sri Lanka by 137 runs. Michael Hussey peeled off an unbeaten 115, Tasmanian Matthew Wade chimed in with 68 not out and Ed Cowan, playing for the Tigers at the time, added 56 in the second innings. Wicketkeeper Wade was also involved in the unusual scenario of bowling an over on the final day – handing the gloves to Phillip Hughes – as Australia searched for a breakthrough against the defiant visitors.
v WEST INDIES 2015-16
A history-making Test where a slew of records fell as Australia registered a thumping innings-and-212-run win. Adam Voges (269 not out) and Shaun Marsh (182) combined for a 449-run partnership, the highest fourth-wicket stand in Test history, the highest for any wicket in Australia and the highest against the hapless West Indies. Only five other partnerships in the history of the game have yielded more runs.
v SOUTH AFRICA 2016-17
The last Test in Tasmania was forgettable for the home country, who were skittled for a paltry 85 on the opening morning. It eventually finished in an innings-and-80-run defeat, a result that ended the international careers of Adam Voges and Peter Nevill. Callum Ferguson and Joe Mennie, who both debuted, also never played another Test.
Hobart Test return will be momentous for Paine
TASMANIAN cricketers cherish playing in their home state due to the infrequency of the opportunity compared to their interstate counterparts, the last local to captain Australia in Hobart says.
George Bailey twice donned national colours at Blundstone Arena during his international career, an ODI against Sri Lanka in January 2013 and again 12 months later in a T20 against England.
The now national selector captained on both occasions and would have led a third match in 2015 against India only to be suspended for a slow over rate in the previous ODI.
With current Test skipper Tim Paine now set to finally break his international hometown duck when Afghanistan visits in November — the first Test in the state since 2016 — Bailey said it will be a moment his close friend will never forget.
“Playing international cricket and being able to get in front of some of your closest family and friends is really special,” Bailey told the Mercury.
“Captaining that T20 against England was an absolute highlight, that series in particular I felt like we really dominated a team, we played some really good T20 cricket.
“Off the top of my head it might have been a bloke by the name of Chris Lynn’s debut, I think I remember batting with him and being in a little bit of awe on how hard he hit the ball.
“There is no doubt you want to do well, it is not something Tasmanian players have had the opportunity to do all that frequently.
“It will be phenomenal for him [Paine], every Test is so vital but given the importance of the summer and the six Tests across the summer, it is going to be an absolutely huge game.”
The Afghanistan Test — the first between the two nations — will kickstart a blockbuster international schedule which sees Australia’s defence of the Ashes against England.
And despite several multi-format players likely to have limited red-ball preparations due to the T20 World Cup, Bailey predicts a full strength outfit to take the park, urging Tasmanian fans to show their support.
“It is exciting to have the opportunity to play a Test, that’s a real treat and hopefully something the public will embrace
That’s been one of the criticisms in the past, when we have had the opportunity to have international games, the public haven’t really voted with their feet.
“Rather than be bitter about what you do or don’t get, I’d rather think it is exciting to embrace the ones you do get and make sure you get around it.
“Given what those players [such as David Warner, Steve Smith and Pat Cummins] will have pre and the importance of the Ashes series, I would envisage it being a pretty strong team.”
Test cricket returns to Hobart with historic match
THE dream of playing for – and captaining – his country on home soil is set to come to fruition for Tim Paine, with Test cricket returning to Tasmania next summer following a five-year absence.
Australia will host Afghanistan in a one-off Test at Blundstone Arena in late November, a vital match for the side as it prepares for its Ashes defence against England.
It will be the state’s first Test since 2016, when South Africa destroyed the hosts for just 85 on the opening morning before recording an innings and 80-run victory.
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Reports interstate on Wednesday night said the 2021-22 schedule will be officially unveiled next week, with Hobart to kick off a blockbuster and crowded international men’s schedule.
The Gabba looks set to be the starting point for the Ashes.
For Test skipper Paine, it will be his first match in national colours in his home town as he enters the twilight of his career.
Last year the 36-year-old told the Mercury it would be “unbelievable” to lead the side into battle onto a venue where he had been going to work for 20 years and he will now do so in the historic first ever Test between Australia and Afghanistan.
Cricket Tasmania did not confirm the schedule when contacted on Wednesday night, but did issue a brief statement.
“It’s no secret that Cricket Tasmania want to see Test cricket return to Blundstone Arena, and we’ll continue to work with Cricket Australia and the Tasmanian government on delivering international content,” general manager communications and government relations Tim Lovibond said.
“The opportunity for Tim Paine to captain the Australian Test side on home soil is absolutely front of mind.
“We read a lot about inspiring the next generation to play sport in this state and I challenge anyone to present a more compelling example.”
The domestic men’s season looks likely to start during mid September – clashing with winter sporting codes finals – but giving international red-ball only players two months worth of Sheffield Shield action before the Test summer begins.
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