Bellerive Oval or also known as Blundstone Arena, was established in 1914. It is the only ground in Tasmania that holds international matches of cricket and football. It is also home ground to the Australian National Cricket team, Tasmanian Tigers, Clearance Roots, Hobart Hurricanes, and North Melbourne Football Club.
| Built In: | 1914 |
| Capacity: | 20,000 |
| Home Teams: | Australia National Cricket Team Hobart Hurricanes (BBL) North Melbourne Football Club (AFL) |
| End Names: | Church Street End River End |
| Ground Size: | 175M Wide 133.5M Long |
Table of Contents
History
From 1960 – 1963 slight changes were made to seating stands and clubrooms. In 1977, a plan was put together by TCA to construct nets, grandstands, scoreboards, and three-level pavilion seating for members. The remodelled ground was opened in 1986 for a football match. In 1999, further renovations started to transform it entirely, and the process was completed in 2003.
Capacity
In 2015, reconstruction started in the arena to enlarge existing stands. Currently, the stadium’s seating capacity is 20,000 people, with a record of accommodating 18,149 people in 2016. It is also the second-largest stadium by capacity in Tasmania.
Seating Plan
Most of the seating is allocated in the southern and western stands; the members’ pavilion is located on the northwest side of the stadium. The corporate area, baby rooms, and food surround the general seating of Rickey pointing and David Boon stand.
Parking
Percy Street and South Street surround the stadium and offer free parking spots, but car parks would be safer in the case of international events. Mostly car parks cost starts from 4-6$.
Pitch Report
The pitch at Bellerive Oval used to favour bowlers, but due to redesigning, it now creates a balance between both batters and bowlers. At the early stage, it benefits the bowler but, as time passes, it is transformed into a batting pitch due to the effect of the Derwent River’s breeze.
Notable Events & Records
- From 2006 to 2015, Kc Sangakkara of Sri Lanka scored the highest career runs of 346 in ODIs.
- From 1988 to 2000, Wasim Akram from Pakistan took the most career wickets (11) in ODI’s.
- In 1999, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist made the most memorable partnership record of 238 in a test match against Pakistan.
- In 2018, GJ Maxwell made the highest score of 103* in the T20 match between Australia and England.
| First Test: | 16 – 20 December 1989 |
| First ODI: | 12 January 1988 |
| First T20I: | 10 February 2010 |
| Highest Test Score: | 583/4 by AUS vs WI (2015) |
| Lowest Test Score: | 85/10 by AUS vs RSA (2016) |
| Highest ODI Score: | 363/9 by SL vs SCO (2015) |
| Lowest ODI Score: | 120/10 by AUS vs PAK (1997) |
| Highest T20 Score: | 213/4 by AUS vs ENG (2014) |
| Lowest T20 Score: | 141/8 by WI vs AUS (2010) |
Upcoming Events
- From October 2021, matches of the Women’s Big Bash League will start on this ground.
14 Oct – Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Stars – 19:40 (LOCAL)
16 Oct – Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes – 15:40 (LOCAL)
16 Oct – Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers – 19:05 (LOCAL)
17 Oct – Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat – 10:15 (LOCAL)
17 Oct – Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers – 13:40 (LOCAL)
19 Oct – Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes – 13:25 (LOCAL)
19 Oct – Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers – 16:50 (LOCAL)
20 Oct – Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers – 13:25 (LOCAL)
20 Oct – Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers – 16:50 (LOCAL) - The ground will host 5 matches of Men’s BBL 2021-2022 too.
14 Dec – Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers – 07:15 PM (LOCAL)
24 Dec – Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars – 03:30 PM (LOCAL)
27 Dec – Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers – 06:05 PM (LOCAL)
01 Jan – Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat – 04:00 PM (LOCAL)
17 Jan – Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades – 07:40 PM (LOCAL)
20 Oct – Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers – 16:50 (LOCAL) - In November 2021, Australia will play a test match against Afghanistan.
- In Feb 2022, An ODI of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League will be hosted between Australia and New Zealand.
- From 7 February 2022, Tasmania will play some matches against New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
Map/Location
Here is the complete address of Blundstone Arena:
Postcode: 7018
15 Derwent St, Bellerive,
Tasmania, Australia
