Ashes 2021 LIVE: Hobart favourite to host fifth Test- The fifth and final Ashes Test is likely to be held in Hobart after Perth Stadium lost the rights of the series decider on Friday. As per a leading report in Australian media, Hobart has eclipsed Sydney’s SCG and Melbourne’s MCG in the ongoing 2021-22. The final Test will kick start on January 14. The curators have identified the pitch and gave a nod to the upcoming game.
Ashes 2021 LIVE: After Perth snub, Hobart emerges favourite to host fifth & final Test
Melbourne’s MCG ground reportedly fell out of the race after sluggish ticket sales for the Boxing Day Test and the ongoing BBL. Cricket Australia are desperate to avoid a poor crowd for the final game of the series.
On the other hand, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet called CA CEO Nick Hockley in order to raise hopes of Sydney hosting the Test. The powerbrokers personally spoke to Australian players to guarantee them extra grass on the deck. Meanwhile, South Australia and Queensland decided against submitting a bid.
The final decision was made after a meeting post-multimillion-dollar bids by Tasmania, Victoria and NSW.
Australia captain Pat Cummins stressed the fact that the final pink-ball Test cannot be chosen purely based on a financial point of view and the nature of the pitch should be given importance.
Ashes 2021 LIVE: After Perth snub, Hobart emerges favourite to host fifth & final Test
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley on Thursday confirmed that the fifth Ashes Test between England and Australia will be contested under lights. Hockley’s comments came as the fifth Ashes Test has been moved out of Perth due to COVID-19 pandemic related restrictions.
“We’ve had lots of interest, I won’t go into specifics because we’re going through all the details now but as I said, we’re working to come to a position as quickly as possible. Hopefully, there will be an announcement in the not-too-distant future,” Hockley told SEN Test Cricket.
“We’ve tried to be fair to everyone, we’ve given everyone an opportunity, we’ll be taking in a range of considerations, and ultimately it’s my job to put a recommendation to the board. The plan is, wherever it’s played, to be a day-night Test with a pink ball,” he added.
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(with inputs from ANI)
