Hobart likely to host fifth Ashes Test

HOBART: The Bellerive Oval in Hobart is set to be announced as the venue for the fifth and final Ashes Test, after it beat rivals Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), reports emerging from Australia said.

The Test, scheduled to commence on January 14, was first awarded to Perth but because of the stringent Covid-19 protocols in Western Australia (WA) and the need for players to undergo 14 days of hard quarantine, the Optus Stadium lost the hosting rights for the concluding Ashes Test.

"It's a done deal for Hobart to host the series finale with a formal announcement expected this weekend," said Newscorp in a report on Friday. This means the Bellerive Oval will host a day-night game, the second pink-ball match of the series after Adelaide, which is the host for the second Test.

Australian Prime Minster Scott Morrison, a great cricket fan, reportedly "sided with Hobart's bid to host a first Test match since 2016". IANS

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