Hobart’s Blundstone Arena has been confirmed as the location for the fifth and final Ashes Test starting 14 January.
Cricket Tasmania CEO, Dominic Baker, said: “This is a great day not just for Tasmanian cricket, but for Tasmania.”
“This will be without a doubt the biggest sporting event Tasmania has ever hosted.
“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,” Baker said.
The fifth Test was to be hosted by Perth, but strict boarder measures and quarantine requirements made it an unviable location.
Low COVID-19 cases and a lack of restrictions made Hobart an ideal location for the Test match.
Cricket Australia (CA) CEO, Nick Hockley, said the choice of Hobart also followed the cancellation of the Australia-Afghanistan Test last month.
“We considered a range of factors, including commercial, logistical and operational considerations,” Hockley said.
“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 match.
“We also acknowledge the postponement of the Australia and Afghanistan Test due to be played in Hobart earlier in the year played a part in the decision.”
This event will be the first time Hobart has hosted the Ashes since 2013.
Tasmania premier, Peter Gutwein, confirmed the venue will host a capacity crowd of 14,000 each day of the Test.
