Hobart wins the race for historic Ashes Test at Blundstone Arena
Tasmanians have been urged to embrace a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” after Hobart was officially announced as the host of the fifth Ashes Test – and the Premier has taken a cheeky dig at spin king Shane Warne over his criticism of the decision.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE clinching of an Ashes Test for Tasmania was a “famous victory” that would beam the state across television screens worldwide and result in tens of millions of dollars in economic benefit, Premier Peter Gutwein says.
The state government will pitch in at least $4m to stage the fifth Ashes Test at Blundstone Arena, after Cricket Australia preferred Hobart to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide who had also pushed for hosting rights.
Mr Gutwein said the state would invest $4m for the match fee, along with other smaller costs associated with broadcast, but the Test would return an estimated $27m to the economy.
The Premier said the January 14-18 extravaganza would be the biggest sporting event Tasmania had ever staged, after launching a bid when Western Australia’s strict border restrictions put an end to Perth’s chances of hosting it.
“This is a historic day ... a famous victory for Tasmania,” a triumphant Mr Gutwein said at Blundstone Arena on Saturday morning.
“We’ve been able to hit the biggest states for six.
“I know that we weren’t the highest bid, and Cricket Australia have been wise and they’ve taken into account a range of other benefits that will flow from this, and I want to thank them for helping us make history.
“This top-level international event will be the biggest sporting event our state has ever hosted.
“It is just fantastic for our sport-loving community and especially for our young people, many of whom will have their very first opportunity to experience such an event.
“It also represents a great outcome for our local economy and especially our tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.
“I’d like to thank Cricket Tasmania for their support with our bid and also Cricket Australia for the way they engaged with us on this and for making the right decision in the interests of cricket and development of the game across the country.”
After strong criticism from Australian cricket legend Shane Warne about the choice of venue, Mr Gutwein had this response to the spin king.
“I’d say to Warney: Mate, you’ve been bowled by a Tassie flipper,” the Premier said.
Blundstone Arena will run at 100 per cent seated capacity, meaning almost 14,000 fans can attend each day of the match.
A “full public transport solution” is being promised by the government to address the logistic issues posed by the large-scale event.
Fans will have to wear masks unless they have a medical exemption, while it is yet to be determined if only the fully vaccinated will be allowed inside the venue.
“I am absolutely confident that Tasmanians will turn up in droves but also that we’re going to see significant interstate visitors here as well as international visitors for this,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Come to Tasmania, you’ll get a fantastic Test but also have the benefit, too, of being able to share in the best food, the best wine and the best air in the world.”
He said the match would help promote the state to tens of millions of cricket fans worldwide.
The historic moment for Tasmania has been warmly welcomed by civic leaders and the state’s business, tourism and hospitality sectors.
Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman said the Test would be an ideal opportunity to shine an international spotlight on the city of Clarence and greater Hobart.
“I know I stand with our local businesses, residents and the rest of the greater Hobart community in being ready to welcome the biggest cricketing show on earth to our beautiful city,” he said.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said Mr Gutwein had “just made history happen”.
“We will see a short-term economic benefit to the state with the influx of national and international visitors for the match,” he said.
“But I am most excited about the ongoing tourist benefit of millions of people from around the world being introduced to Tasmania.”
Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief Steve Old said the government’s cash bid was money well spent, and came at a perfect time for the hospitality industry just a month after the state’s border reopened.
“The money that will be invested in the Ashes, I expect you would get back 20-fold in having England come down,” he said.
“This will be one of, if not the biggest, sporting event Tasmania has ever staged.”
Luke Martin, the chief executive of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, said the Ashes Test would be a five-day advertisement for the state.
“A global cricketing audience of one billion eyeballs closely follow the Ashes series and Tasmania in January will be hosting arguably the single biggest sporting event being held anywhere on the planet over those few days,” he said.
“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that we must fully embrace.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement today: “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.
“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 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.”
Warne’s spray for Hobart Ashes Test move
TASMANIA will host its first Ashes Test after winning the race for this summer’s finale.
Hobart’s Blundstone Arena was the preferred venue in a classic David v Goliaths victory, edging out the MCG and the SCG.
Cricket Australia, after taking tenders on the match originally scheduled for Perth, chose to do the right thing by the game and make history rather than take the cash on offer from the bigger venues, which are already hosting Tests earlier in the series.
Sources said despite serious pushes from Melbourne and Sydney, Hobart had the unanimous support of the CA board.
Premier Peter Gutwein was rapt to hear the news.
“I have seen the reports that Hobart has won the fifth Ashes Test,” he said.
“We will wait for official confirmation from Cricket Australia, however, if these reports are true, this is a victory for Tasmania and history in the making.
“Tasmania deserves an Ashes Test match and it would be the biggest sporting event our state has ever hosted and fantastic for our sport-loving community, as well as for local businesses and our economy.”
But the news didn’t win over everyone, with Ashes commentator and cricket great Shane Warne not mincing words over Tassie beating out the mainland, believing that it does not cater to all Australian fans.
News Corp exclusively revealed that Hobart’s Bellerive Oval is set to host the up-for-grabs Test ahead of Melbourne and Sydney.
Warne has strongly backed Melbourne to host the match since it became clear Perth could lose the prized event due to their strict Covid regulations.
The spin king said fans in the Apple Isle do not turn out to Test matches, proclaiming that was one of the reasons why they have not hosted a Test since 2016.
He also pointed to the MCG’s increased attendances, saying that the MCG can match Hobart’s attendances across an entire Test in one day.
“Congratulations, but I wouldn’t have done it that way,” Warne said on Fox Cricket.
“If it’s 2-2, or 2-1, 1-0, whatever it might be, I think that you want to be fair to all the fans all over Australia, the international fans, and I don’t think you can fit them all in in Hobart.
“I just would’ve liked us to cater for everyone.
“One of the reasons that Hobart lost their Test match was because no one was turning up – that was one of the reasons they lost it, and there was talk of Canberra for the fifth Test, or somewhere else.
“So let’s hope that people will turn out and let’s hope it’s still alive, the series, and Hobart can squeeze in 15,000 people.”
“But well done to Hobart, they always put on a great series down there, a great Test match.”
Warne was then corrected by Mark Waugh on commentary, who added that the official capacity was actually 19,500.
“Whatever it is, five days of a Test match is the same as one day at the MCG,” Warne replied.
Catch every moment of The Ashes live and ad-break free during play on Kayo. Join now for just $5 for 2-months Kayo Basic. New customers only, ends 13th Dec >
The pink ball day-night Test will be held in Hobart most likely held from January 14-18 after serious lobbying by the Tasmanian Government and Cricket Tasmania.
It will be Tasmania’s first Test since 2016 and first international since 2018, with CT repeatedly labelling the fixture as the state’s biggest ever sporting event held on the island.
The state’s push has had some serious backing, including from Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck, as well as strong public and financial support from Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein.
There has been no official announcement from CA yet, but it is believed it will be made in the next 24 to 48 hours at the latest.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison threw his support behind Hobart to clinch cricket’s fifth Ashes Test.
“As for the fifth Test, I’m in the Tassie camp. I think it would be great to see Tasmania share in this Ashes series,” said the PM.
“The reasons for not going to Perth are well understood. I’m looking forward to the Sydney Test, I’m looking forward to the Adelaide Test, and of course looking forward to the Brisbane Test and the Melbourne Test... and for there to be one in Tassie I think would be great.
“Particularly as there was the Afghanistan Test which obviously didn’t proceed for clear reasons. I know they’ll put on a great show and it’d be great for Tasmania.”
More Coverage
Tasmanian AFLW star’s journey through three clubs and seven seasons
Daria Bannister’s journey to her 50th AFLW game has been a rollercoaster. From tearing her ACL on debut to playing for three clubs. She opens up on the ride.
Why ‘rough start’ is no concern for NBL champs
The JackJumpers are sitting towards the foot of the NBL ladder but star Milton Doyle isn’t feeling the need to sound the alarm. Here’s why he’s backing a change of fortune.