Cricket Australia has confirmed Hobart’s Blundstone Arena will host the fifth Ashes Test, after Perth was stripped of the right to stage the match.
It’s the first time Hobart has hosted an Ashes match, as well as the first time a day-night Test will be played in Tasmania.
Blundstone Arena has been given the nod for the day-night match, after beating out opposition from both Melbourne and Sydney, with the MCG and SCG keen to stage a second match.
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Melbourne will host the traditional Boxing Day Test, followed by the SCG on January 5-9, and Hobart on January 14-18.
Perth was stripped of the right to host the match earlier this month over the state’s insistence that players, broadcast staff and officials would need to quarantine for two weeks following the Sydney Test, making it impossible for Optus Stadium to host the match.
“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,” CA CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement.
“I would like to thank all the States and Territories who took part in this process. The submissions we received were outstanding and we had no doubt that each of the venues that took part would have hosted a wonderful event.
“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 Vodafone Men’s Ashes 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.”
Cricket Tasmania CEO, Dominic Baker, described the announcement as “a great day not just for Tasmanian cricket, but for Tasmania in general”.
“This will be without a doubt the biggest sporting event Tasmania has ever hosted,” he said.
“While the circumstances that have led us to be able to have the opportunity to host this Test are undoubtedly unique, we are thrilled that Tasmanians will have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness an Ashes Test in their own backyard.
“Blundstone Arena is a world-class venue, and we are excited to work with Cricket Australia and the Ashes broadcast partners to show that to the world. As a one-sixth owner of Cricket Australia, we are thrilled that our state’s contribution to Australian cricket has been recognised in this way.”
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