By Jon Pierik and Daniel Brettig
Cricket Australia says Hobart is the “most appropriate venue” to stage next month’s fifth Ashes Test, after it had been removed from Perth due to COVID-19 border issues and difficulties.
The MCG and SCG had also made lucrative bids for the pink-ball Test but the Tasmanian government’s decision to match or even surpass the financial return of a second Test match at the MCG – said to be as much as $5 million - helped Hobart secure its maiden Ashes Test.
Nick Hockley, the CA chief executive, said the capacity of Blundstone Arena would be set at 14,000 per day. “We appeal to cricket fans right across Tasmania but also those that want to make the trip down, to vote with their feet,” he said in Sydney.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful oval, very picturesque, overlooking the Derwent [River], so we just encourage everyone to get down there. If there are 14,000 people there for every day of that day/night Test, what a better way to spend an evening, and we’ve no doubt that’ll create a fantastic atmosphere.
“We were blown away by the interest around the country, and received fantastic submissions. We have no doubt wherever the match had been played it would’ve been a wonderful occasion. For Sydney, for Melbourne, they’ve already got a Test, so we just encourage everyone to get out there. We’re thrilled and relieved we’re going to have full crowds.”
Tasmania had previously lost a scheduled Test match against Afghanistan after CA chose to postpone the fixture.
Perth was ruled out for the January 14-18 match because of Western Australia’s hard border stance and the logistical difficulties which flowed from this, particularly for broadcasters and their staff. The SCG also bid for the Test under CA’s tender process and, like the MCG, had wanted to schedule a day-night Test.
Twenty20 World Cup winning wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, a proud Tasmanian, said he hoped CA’s decision would even help his state’s bid to field a standalone team in the AFL. A decision on whether Tasmania is granted the AFL’s 19th licence is slated to be made midway through next year.
“It’s been a long time since we have had some big sporting events in Hobart. It’s obviously been a big push to get an AFL team. It was a little bit of a surprise when I saw it [the fifth Test] announced but really happy for Tasmanians that we are going to get a big sporting event there and, hopefully, this drives it into the future to get these bigger events and, hopefully, our own AFL team down the track,” Wade said on Fox Cricket.
Martin Pakula, the Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, said his government had put forward a strong submission.
“Victoria put forward an aggressive bid and we thought the case for a day-night Test at the MCG was very strong. Nevertheless, we wish Cricket Tasmania all the very best and hope they put on a stunning fifth Ashes Test in Hobart,” he said on Saturday.
Broadcasters had wanted the fifth Test to be played at a major venue, either the MCG or SCG, but Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein was determined to win this battle. It was also noted that Tasmania has an equal share with the major states in owning CA.
The challenge for Tasmania now is to ensure the Test is a sell-out, for the state’s last two Tests struggled for crowds, and drew the frustration of then CA chief executive, James Sutherland.
The Tests against the West Indies in 2015 and South Africa in 2016 averaged an attendance of about 5000 per day. Blundstone Arena has a capacity of about 15,000, a point raised by Test great Shane Warne in commentary on Fox Cricket.
“I’m very happy for the people of Hobart – congratulations if that’s the case – but I wouldn’t have done it that way,” Warne said on Friday.
“If it’s 2-all, or 2-1, 1-0, whatever it may be, you want to be fair to the fans all over Australia. And I don’t think you can fit them all in at Hobart.
“I just would have liked us to cater for everyone, 15,000 with all of Australia and international guests, I just don’t think you’ll get people in there. But well done to Hobart. They always put on a great series down there, a great event but I wouldn’t have done it with only 15,000 people.
“One of the reasons Hobart lost its Test match was that no one was turning up. Let’s hope the people turn out, let’s hope it’s still alive the series and Hobart can squeeze in 15,000 people.”
With Ashleigh McMillan
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