Tasmania in a 'good spot' to host 5th Test if Perth ruled out: Premier Gutwein

HOBART: Tasmanian premier Peter Gutwein has expressed his keen interest in hosting the fifth and final Ashes Test, especially since Cricket Australia (CA) could take a call anytime now to rule Perth out of the schedule due to stringent Covid-19 protocols being implemented in Western Australia. The fifth Test against Joe Root's England is scheduled from January 14 but with Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan saying that tough border restrictions would remain in place due to the emergence of the new Covid-19 variant, Omicron, and that the players will have to quarantine for 14 days to be able to play the match, things look difficult for Perth. He has also banned wives and girlfriends of the cricketers from attending the fifth Test. The Test is slated to be played from January 14 at the 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium.

Gutwein hopes this could open the doors for Tasmania to host the Test. Tasmania has for long been pitching for the Test, which would have been a farewell gift to former Test skipper Tim Paine, who is from Tasmania. But with the 36-year-old resigning in the wake of the sexting scandal and taking an indefinite break from cricket, Tasmania's chances have taken a blow. IANS

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