Hobart’s new stadium is designed to host Indoor Test Cricket, will countries like India and England follow the suit?
Remember the 2023 IPL final between the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, which was spread over three days due to rain? Remember the many Test matches that ended in dull draws as rain played spoilsport? Such play stoppages due to rain or bad weather could be a thing of the past if the proposed multi-purpose stadium with a transparent roof at Macquarie Point in Hobart, Australia, sees the light of day and gets ICC approval. The focus of this stadium is to not only have floodlit T20 cricket but also red-ball Test matches. Earlier, Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, which has a retractable roof, had hosted 12 ODIs from 2000 to 2006. It continues to host Big Bash League matches.
What is different about the proposed Hobart Stadium?
This stadium is set to have a transparent roof that will be designed in such a way that shadows have little to no impact on the playing areas. The roof is also pushed to 50 metres. It leaves almost no chance for a ball to hit the roof, as no player has hit a ball to that height yet. The details of the proposed stadium are still being worked on.
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How can this boost Test cricket or any other format?
Unlike ODIs or T20Is, where a truncated match due to overs lost because of rain can produce a result, a Test can be significantly affected if a session, two, or a day is ruled out due to natural elements. This will rob the teams of the chance to force a result, and hence, it will produce dull draws. But the proposed stadium is designed especially for red-ball cricket, where natural light flows through the transparent roof in case of bad weather and rain and can be further boosted with floodlights. Hence, the Test match would proceed without any play getting hampered, producing more result-oriented games.
In ODIs and T20Is, the closed stadium will not reduce the number of overs that bring the controversial Duckworth/Lewis method into play. This will provide an even playing ground for both teams.
How can it shape up in future?
If this proposed stadium delivers on its promises, more such stadiums can come up across the cricketing world and thus give a much-needed boost to the gentleman’s game. Also, it would make cricket an all-season sport (although it already is) where rain or bad weather would not cut short or produce an abandoned game. Tests, ODIs, and T20Is would produce no abandoned games, resulting in a spike of interest among the fans.
Besides, in India, where IPL is generally played through the summer and the onset of monsoon season, this stadium would ensure matches are not lost due to rain and games become more exciting as teams vie for a play-off berth. Fans, broadcasters, and all stakeholders will be happy to see a completed match, as rain will not be able to impact the result of the game. Overall, it is a win-win situation for all.
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