Tasmania's aspirations to host indoor Test cricket at a proposed new stadium in Hobart have taken a significant step forward as part of the state's bid to join the Australian Football League (AFL). The Tasmania Devils are set to become the AFL's 19th team in 2028, and the construction of a new stadium is a key component of the deal.
The proposed stadium at Macquarie Point is envisioned as a multipurpose venue with a capacity of 23,000 and a transparent roof that would allow for both daytime cricket and floodlit T20 matches. Macquarie Point Development Corporation CEO Anne Beach emphasized the importance of securing accreditation for red-ball cricket, stating that it is a critical factor in enabling the stadium to host a full range of cricket content.
Concept designs for the Macquarie Point stadium were unveiled earlier this week, incorporating data from ball-tracking technology to ensure the roof is sufficiently high for cricket. Cox Architecture CEO Alistair Richardson explained that the roof has been raised to 50 meters, which exceeds the maximum height at which a ball has ever been hit.
Experts have indicated that the design of the roof will minimize the impact of shadows on the playing surface. While Marvel Stadium in Melbourne has hosted indoor ODIs and BBL matches with the roof closed, Test cricket has never been played at an enclosed ground.
Cricket Tasmania chair David Boon expressed the state's eagerness to play cricket at the new stadium, acknowledging that it could spark discussions about the future of Bellerive Oval. He emphasized Tasmania's desire to be a leader in innovation for the future of the game.
Tasmania last hosted a Test match in the 2021-22 season, when the final Ashes match was moved to Bellerive Oval from Perth due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. It is unlikely that Tasmania will host another Test in the current Future Tours Programme, but it is scheduled to host a T20I against Pakistan in November and the third ODI of the Women's Ashes in January.
Tags: #Tasmania, #AFL, #Cricket, #MacquariePoint, #IndoorTestCricket
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