Tasmania left off the map again as ICC release fixtures for T20 World Cup

The Tasmanian Government has forked out $3 million for a T20 World Cup that will includes no Australian men’s games here — and not one single women’s fixture.

Tasmanians will not get to see one ICC T20 World Cup women’s match or the national men’s team after the fixture was announced this morning. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

UPDATE: THE Tasmanian Government has forked out $3 million for a T20 World Cup that will includes no Australian men’s games here — and not one single women’s fixture.

The fixtures list for the 2020 men’s and women’s International Cricket Council Twenty20 World Cup was released on Tuesday.

Hobart’s Blundstone Arena will host eight men’s games over nine days from October 19 to 27 next year, including three involving Bangladesh, one with New Zealand and the rest to be made up by qualifiers from the smaller association nations such as Scotland, the Netherlands or Ireland.

But Tasmanian Sports Minister Jacquie Peterusma described the allocation as a “major coup” and a worthwhile return on taxpayer’s money.

“This money is being spent on safety, security, marketing, transport and also on making the Hobart and the surrounding region more beautiful for the nine days,” Ms Petrusma said. “Local businesses will benefit from a huge amount of fans coming here to Tasmania who get out and about in Hobart and the surrounding areas and enjoy all the world class attractions Tasmania has to offer.”

Cricket Tasmania chief executive Nick Cummins said the return represented the size of the population, and Brisbane and Adelaide also missed out on women’s fixtures.

“As a cricket fan, it is disappointing. I want Australia to play all their games in Hobart,” Cummins said.

“But we have to be realistic: the Australian games are going to draw the biggest crowds so naturally the organisers are going to want them to play in the bigger stadiums.”

Greens Senator Nick McKim described the investment as a “terrible waste of money.”

“No games in the Women’s World T20 is nowhere near good enough at a time when women’s sport at all levels is crying out for more investment,” Mr McKim said.

“The Liberals are describing these games as ‘boutique’, but what they actually are is second rate.”

Opposition sports spokesman David O’Byrne said it was a disappointing fixture and that Tasmanians deserved more.

“Local cricket lovers deserve an answer from Ms Petrusma, who is Minister for Sport and Minister for Women, why Tassie will miss out,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“Is this yet another case of the Hodgman Government fumbling the opportunity?

“The Government can’t be allowed to let this through to the keeper, they should be doing more to support all levels of women’s sport.”

HOBART’S T20 WORLD CUP FIXTURE.

First Round Matches

Monday, Oct 19:

Bangladesh v QB3

QB2 v QB4

Wednesday, Oct 21:

QB3 v QB4

Bangladesh v QB2

Friday, Oct 23:

QB2 v QB3

Bangladesh v QB4

Super 12 Matches

Sunday, Oct 25 A1 v B2

Tuesday, Oct 27 New Zealand v B2

EARLIER: TASMANIANS will not get to see one ICC T20 World Cup women’s match or the national men’s team after the fixture was announced this morning.

Hobart’s Blundstone Arena will host six first round men’s games during the 2020 tournament, with Bangladesh to play in three with the other teams to be made up of yet to be determined qualifiers from the non-Test playing association countries.

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Blundstone will then host two games of the Super 12 matches with two qualifiers on Sunday October 25 to be followed by New Zealand against a qualifier on Tuesday October 27.

Cricket Tasmania has often stated women’s’ cricket is one of the biggest growing sports in the state, yet Tasmania was not deemed worthy of hosting one game during the women’s tournament.

However, the likes of Canberra’s Manuka Oval, long seen as a rival with Tasmanian for international cricket content, will host five games.

BLUNDSTONE ARENA’S ICC T20 WORLD CUP MATCHES

First Round Matches

Monday, Oct 19:

Bangladesh v QB3

QB2 v QB4

Wednesday, Oct 21:

OB3 v OB4

Bangladesh v QB2

Friday, Oct 23:

QB2 v QB3

Bangladesh v QB4

Super 12 Matches

Sunday, Oct 25 A1 v B2

Tuesday, Oct New Zealand v B2