Tasmania’s audacious bid to steal Ashes Test

The Tasmanian government has launched an audacious bid to swipe the final Ashes Test from Perth.

Premier Peter Gutwein confirmed in parliament today that Tasmania had written to Cricket Australia and formally requested that the Fifth Test be relocated, increasing pressure on Western Australia to keep hold of the event.

“The game is currently scheduled to commence on 14 January in WA, but they have made it clear their borders will not be open by then,” he said.

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“The Tasmanian Government is committed to delivering more elite sporting content for locals to enjoy that will boost our economy and put Tasmania front and centre on the national sporting stage,” he said.

“There is no doubt an Ashes test match between Australia and the old enemy England at Blundstone Arena would be one of the biggest sporting events we have ever hosted and a massive boon for our State – potentially being the match that decides the 2021-22 Ashes.”

Gutwein also said the match could be a brilliantly opportunity to farewell Tim Paine, the current Test skipper and longtime Tasmanian state representative.

“It would be fantastic to see Tim play at Bellerive as Captain of Australia for the first, and possibly only time, and we will continue to work with Cricket Australia in the coming weeks to bring this to reality,” he said.

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“Tasmania has already shown on multiple occasions this year that we can successfully host elite sporting content.”

Due to COVID restrictions in other states, the University of Tasmania Stadium in Launceston hosted two AFL finals games in 2021 including the derby between the Sydney Swans and GWS Giants – and the state is in the midst of being one of the central hubs of the WBBL.

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