The ACT government has informed Cricket Australia it is ready and available to host the fifth Ashes Test in January, after the potential decider was taken away from Perth this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Canberra's Manuka Oval is one of several venues in the running for the marquee fixture, which will now be played on the eastern seaboard due to Western Australia's rigid, COVID border restrictions.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr confirmed on Tuesday his government would respond favourably to CA's casting net for expressions of interest on the Australia-England clash scheduled to begin on January 14.
It comes a day after Big Bash cricket successfully returned to Manuka Oval, where the Sydney Thunder notched a statement seven-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat.
MORE CANBERRA SPORT
Manuka's summer cricket schedule would easily accommodate a men's Test match in mid January. The fifth Test falls snugly between a Women's National Cricket League match at the venue on January 11, and the Women's Ashes Test 16 days later.
But any Canberra bid will meet incredibly stiff opposition, including an audacious play by the Tasmanian government which is reportedly willing to throw millions of dollars at securing the match.
Bellerive Oval was due to host an historic Test between Australia and Afghanistan earlier this summer, but that fixture was postponed.
Sydney is also set to pitch its case to CA, with Venues NSW working closely with the state government on an audacious plan which would stage a day-night Test at the SCG, just days after the fourth match at that venue.
The 90,000 capacity MCG is also in the mix, and looks the most financially lucrative option for CA. It is understood broadcasters would prefer the match in either Sydney or Melbourne.
With Canberra not hosting any matches at the 2023 women's soccer World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand, and the ACT likely to miss out on Rugby World Cup matches in 2027, a Ashes Test this summer would likely be the largest sporting event in the capital over the next decade.
"Canberrans love watching international cricket at Manuka Oval, with this in mind the ACT government would love to provide our community with another opportunity to witness world-class sport in our city," Mr Barr said.
"Manuka Oval successfully hosted its first Test match, Australia versus Sri Lanka, in February 2019.
"In our response to the EOI we will draw on the experience gained from hosting that Test match, along with the many COVID safe matches that were moved to Manuka in the 2020/21 cricket season."
The Ashes series begins at the Gabba on Wednesday, with veteran English quick Jimmy Anderson expected to miss the game with a minor calf strain.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
