Ashes 2021-22: Hobart to host Day-Night Test in series finale

The Bellerive Oval in Hobart has been confirmed as the hosts of the fifth and final Test of the ongoing Ashes. The match would be the second of the two Day-Night Tests in the five-match affair. The Adelaide Oval will host the first pink-ball Test, starting Thursday, December 16.

Earlier, the final Test had to be shifted out of Perth due to the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cricket Australia had said that it had worked with Western Australia Cricket to resolve the matter, but in the end, the solutions weren’t quite deemed feasible.

Hobart, in the meantime, is set to host its maiden Ashes Test and it’s first Test since 2016. The same venue was earlier scheduled to host the Australia-Afghanistan Test, which had to be postponed due to political turmoil.

CA chief delighted on Ashes development

“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,” Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley was  on Saturday, December 11.

“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,” he stated.

“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,” Hockley added.

Through the Day-Night Test, the broadcaster made sure that the contest retains a prime-time slot. Earlier, Cricket Tasmania also tried its heart out to gain the hosting rights for the fifth and final Test. The state government and Scott Morrison, the Australian Prime Minister, also endorsed them.

As far as action on the field is concerned, the Aussies, led by Pat Cummins, have already managed to take a 1-0 lead in the series. On Saturday, they defeated England by nine wickets at The Gabba in Brisbane. The hosts finished off proceedings in the second session of the fourth day’s play at the iconic venue.