Hobart has been locked in to host the fifth men’s Ashes Test.
Cricket Australia has confirmed the series finale, beginning on January 14, will be a day-night Test staged at Bellerive.
The ground hasn’t hosted a Test since 2016, while it has never featured in any Ashes series.
Australia had been scheduled to play a Test to start the summer in the Tasmanian capital against Afghanistan but that match was cancelled due to reports that women’s cricket would be banned in the Middle East nation following the Taliban takeover earlier this year.
The Ashes match was slated to be held in Perth, but CA hit a brick wall in its talks with Western Australia officials while trying to negotiate border exemptions.
Cricket Tasmania and the Tasmania’s government put together a bid that trumped the case to schedule a second Test at either the MCG or SCG.
“I would like to thank all the states and territories who took part in this process,” CA chief executive Nick Hockley said.
“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.”
“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.”
Dibbs
Roar Rookie
Deluded and vindictive attitude. You must have been cooped up too long with your own unbalanced thoughts. W.A. has been missing out on sporting events for decades, so what you're suggesting isn't a punishment, it's just status quo. Punishment for managing a pandemic is childishly pathetic in any case. Suggesting an isolationist policy as punishment for isolationist policy is stupidly hypocritical. W.A.'s border policy is temporary, successful and important; god knows why you would want people to die needlessly. Other than Victoria and N.S.W. where people have had to endure horrible lockdowns and 100's of deaths, every state has had esentially the same border policies that W.A. has. Your petty W.A. hate is misguided so direct your frustrations elsewhere.
Reg Grundy
Guest
I read yesterday in Brisbane Times how surprisingly the Qld Govt managed to sort of accommodate the reduced number of TV broadcast technicians for their Test match with certain rules, like going straight back to the hotel after each days play. Was there any reduced q rules for them by Qld Govt because the article didn't have anything on it? It is also part of the reason why their isn't as much technical stuff (like Snicko & Hot Spot) being used. Apart from the WA Govt having so called 70% support for their approach, I don't understand what they hoped to achieve with this standoff with CA. Unlike AFL grand final, CA had plenty of other options in moving the 5th test. I really don't get it how Qld, SA and now Tas are able to manage the so called COVID risks with CA whilst WA can't. As a Sandgroper, I'm a tad embarrassed about it. Good luck to Hobart i hosting it! The $5m minimum sweetener would have helped.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
Yep. Plus as a day night game it might be a batsmans graveyard. 2 day game?
XI
Roar Guru
Hopefully the series is wrapped up before then. Tassie will be like a home ground for the Poms weather wise
U
Roar Rookie
Enjoying Warnie’s tears
Ace
Roar Rookie
And also missing out of any remuneration for missing out on the test ..as they claimed they deserved
Bazza
Guest
This is a wonderful decision and Western Australia has got what they richly deserve. WA have supported the isolationist policies promoted by their so called premier, McGovern, and there are consequences to that conduct. Let’s hope that this is only the start of WA missing out on a variety of sporting, cultural and musical events.
Paul
Roar Guru
Glad for Tassie they scored this Test. Now they've got a month to create a competitive Test pitch. Hope it's a good match